Comeback or Elimination: Barça's History After Home Draw

FC Barcelona and Inter Milan drew in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals at Montjuïc (3-3), a result that leaves the tie completely open for the second leg in Montjuïc. Although the aim of the Catalan team was to win, the draw is not entirely bad for Hansi Flick's team.

And the fact is that, until now, Barça has overcome 7 out of 14 European ties after drawing the first leg at home. The last positive precedent for the Culés in a similar instance occurred in the round of 16 of the 21-22 Europa League against Galatasaray.

Barcelona had drawn at Camp Nou (0-0) and, in the return leg in Turkey, they won by the minimum (1-2). In that same edition of the UEL, in the 'play-off', Xavi Hernández's team had qualified by thrashing Napoli (2-4) after drawing at home in the first leg (1-1).

Second Leg. Inter-Barcelona

• 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
• ⏰ Time: 9:00 PM (local time)
• 🏟️ Venue: Giuseppe Meazza Stadium (Milan, Italy)

The last similar precedent in the Champions League, a good memory for Barça

Andrés Iniesta, celebrating the qualifying goal against Chelsea in 2009

In the Champions League, the last time Barcelona managed to overcome a tie after drawing at home was, precisely, in the semi-finals. In 2008-09, the team then managed by Pep Guardiola drew the first leg at Camp Nou (0-0).

However, in the return leg in London, the Culés advanced with Andrés Iniesta's agonizing goal (1-1), a draw that allowed the Catalans to advance due to the away goals rule. In the final in Rome, Barça defeated Manchester United (2-0) to win their third Champions League and the first treble in their history.

In 2025, the team is once again in a very similar situation: with the Copa del Rey title in their pocket and LaLiga within two or three wins (depending on what Real Madrid does), qualification against Inter seems definitive in order to go for a new treble.

What is a fact is that, unlike 2009, this year Barça will have to win in Milan to qualify. Since the 2021-22 season, UEFA decided to eliminate this criterion, which had been in force since 1965. If the match in Italy ends in a draw, there will be extra time. If the draw persists, the qualifier will be decided on penalties.

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Inter were eliminated on 6 occasions after drawing the first leg away

The Italians, for their part, managed to advance in 15 out of 21 European ties after drawing the first leg away from home. This season, Simone Inzaghi's team are unbeaten at home in the Champions League.

The 'Nerazzurri' have 5 wins and 1 draw at home so far, with Bayern Munich (2-2) being the only team, so far, capable of avoiding defeat at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Latest precedents favorable to Barcelona

⚽European competition ties (without the away goals rule) in which FC Barcelona qualified despite drawing the first leg at home:

1. Europa League 2021-22 play-off. First leg: Barça 1-1 Napoli (Camp Nou). Second leg: Napoli 2-4 Barça (Diego Maradona).
2. Europa League 2021-22 Round of 16. First leg: Barça 0-0 Galatasaray (Camp Nou). Second leg: Galatasaray 1-2 Barça (Istanbul).