Barça wins again in their Champions League debut as visitors, 20 years later!
Published New:19/09/2025 - 02:49h
Updated New:19/09/2025 - 02:49h
Barça returned to debut with a victory away from home in the Champions League for the first time in two decades, thanks to Marcus Rashford's double against Newcastle (1-2)
FC Barcelona ended a two-decade streak without away wins on an opening day of the UEFA Champions League. On Thursday, the team led by Hansi Flick defeated Newcastle (1-2) thanks to a double from Marcus Rashford at St. James' Park.
The Catalans went from less to more in a very physical match with multiple chances in both areas. Joan García appeared with a great save against Barnes in the first half to keep the score at zero, and in the second half, two great goals from 'Rashy' paved the way for the Blaugrana victory.
A recent anomaly in the Champions League, since in the last 20 seasons Barça has only debuted as a visitor in the tournament on five occasions. In the previous four, the balance was three draws and one defeat.
Flick's Barça breaks a long streak of failed away debuts in the Champions League
Since 2005/06, Barcelona had not started a Champions League edition winning away. It was in 2005/06, against Werder Bremen (0-2), a match where the team then led by Frank Rijkaard won with goals from Deco and Ronaldinho (0-2) in Germany.
Since then, 20 years have passed and the Blaugrana team has only debuted in the tournament away from home on four occasions. The first was in the 2009/10 season, where the 'Culés' started by drawing goalless against José Mourinho's Inter (0-0).
After that, six years passed to see Barça again as a visitor on an opening day of the Champions League. In 2015/16, the Catalans returned to Italy to visit Roma (1-1), a match that the locals equalized thanks to a lapse by Ter Stegen and a surprising long-range shot by Nainggolan.
In 2019/20, Barça traveled to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund on the first day. The team then led by Ernesto Valverde rescued a draw (0-0) in a match dominated by the Germans where 'Matts' was a key player.
And, last season, in Hansi Flick's debut in the Champions League, the Blaugrana team fell against Monaco (2-1) in a match conditioned by a mistake by Ter Stegen and the early expulsion of Eric García. Lamine Yamal scored the partial equalizer, but the locals took the victory with goals from Akliouche and Ilenikhena.
| Temp. | Match | Result. |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Newcastle-Barça | 1-2 |
| 2024/25 | Mónaco-Barça | 2-1 |
| 2019/20 | Dortmund-Barça | 0-0 |
| 2015/16 | Roma-Barça | 1-1 |
| 2009/10 | Inter-Barça | 0-0 |
| 2005/06 | Werder Bremen-Barça | 0-2 |
- 📌 YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: All the information about the 20/26 Champions League
The historical precedent that excites Barça with a Champions League title
Interestingly, the last time Barcelona managed to win in their away debut in the Champions League, they managed to win the title. After the victory in Germany against Werder Bremen, the team led by Frank Rijkaard led a group where Udinese and Panathinaikos were also present, adding 16 points out of a possible 18.
In the round of 16, the 'Culés' overcame Chelsea with an aggregate score of 3-2, while in the quarterfinals they had to face Benfica. After a goalless draw in Lisbon, the 'Culés' won 2-0 at home. And, in the 'semis' against Milan, a goal from Ronaldinho at San Siro made the difference.
In the final in Paris, Barça beat Arsenal (2-1) with goals from Eto'o and Belletti to lift their second 'Orejona'. Will the Catalans be able to repeat the feat in this edition?
