Champions: How did Barcelona fare in their last 5 semi-finals?

FC Barcelona and Inter Milan start this Wednesday in Montjuïc (9:00 PM) the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. For the 'azulgrana' team, this is their first appearance in 'semis' in the last six years and only the third in the last 12 seasons.

After eliminating Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals (5-3 on aggregate), Hansi Flick's team is heading for the pass to the final after the consecration against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey (3-2) and a good run in the previous 12 Champions League matches.

For the moment, Barça has 9 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in 12 presentations, with a total of 37 goals in favor (the best offense in the tournament) and 17 against. Facing them will be an Inter that boasts the best defense, with only 5 goals conceded in 12 matches.

In that sense, the semi-finals will be a tough challenge for a Barcelona with mixed luck in their last appearances in this phase. Next, we review the last 10 matches in the Champions League 'semis' of the 'azulgrana' team.

From glory in 2015 against Bayern to the collapse against Liverpool in 2019

Neymar scored the 3-0 against Bayern Munich in 2015

A decade ago, Barça faced Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. The tie started at Camp Nou and Luis Enrique's team took advantage of some key absences in the Bavarians to steer the qualification with a thrashing (3-0).

The match was of absolute 'azulgrana' dominance, but the goals took time to arrive. Leo Messi, with a double in the 77' and 80', and another goal from Neymar in added time, settled the match.

In the rematch in Germany, Bayern won by the minimum (3-2), but Neymar's double in the first half had sealed the 'azulgrana' qualification, since the away goal rule was still in force then. In the final in Berlin, Barça defeated Juventus (3-1) to lift their fifth 'big-eared' trophy.

Four years later, in 2019, the 'culés' once again prevailed with authority in the first leg against Liverpool (3-0) with goals from Messi (double) and Luis Suárez.

However, the return leg at Anfield was a nightmare and the 'reds', incredibly, turned the score around (4-0) with doubles from Origi and Wijnaldum. It was the second consecutive comeback against Ernesto Valverde's team, after the 3-0 against Roma in the quarter-finals.

Barça closed a glorious cycle in the Champions League with a tough fall 

Previously, in 2011, with Pep Guardiola on the bench, Barça surpassed Real Madrid in a historic semi-final. In the middle of four Clásicos in just three weeks to define the season, the 'culés' kept LaLiga and the Champions League, while the 'blancos' had to settle for the Copa del Rey.

Leo Messi, celebrating a goal against Real Madrid in 2011

In the first leg of 'semis', a double from Leo Messi settled the tie at the Santiago Bernabéu (0-2). Pedro Rodríguez scored in the draw at Camp Nou (1-1) and Barcelona advanced to the final against Manchester United by the same score with which they would end up winning the trophy at Wembley (3-1).

In 2012, Guardiola's team faced Chelsea again and the English team, surprisingly, took revenge for the elimination in 2009 against the 'culés' after drawing at Camp Nou. The first leg in London ended 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Didier Drogba.

In the return leg, Barcelona went 2-0 up in the first half with goals from Busquets and Iniesta, but Ramírez discounted for the English before the break. Messi missed a penalty in the second half and, in the end, Fernando Torres sealed Chelsea's qualification with the equalizing goal. Thus, the aggregate ended 3-2 in favor of the 'blues'.

And, in 2013, a Barça diminished emotionally and physically fell in 'semis' against Bayern Munich. A controversial arbitration in the first leg in Munich (4-0) tipped the balance in favor of the Bavarians, who a week later would once again thrash the Catalans at Camp Nou (0-3) to advance to a final where they ended up defeating Borussia Dortmund (2-1).

In this way, the 'Pep Team', with Tito Vilanova on the bench, said goodbye to the Champions League with a heavy defeat that meant the closing of a golden cycle, with seven consecutive Champions League semi-finals.

⚽Statistics of Barcelona in the last 5 Champions League semi-finals:

1. 🔴Liverpool 4-3 FC Barcelona. 2018-19 season.
2. 🟢FC Barcelona 5-3 Bayern Munich. 2014-15 season.
3. 🔴Bayern Munich 7-0 FC Barcelona. 2012-13 season.
4. 🔴Chelsea 3-2 FC Barcelona. 2011-12 season.
5. 🟢FC Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid. 2010-11 season.

In total, Barça played five 'semis' ties, advancing to the final in 2011 and 2015 against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively. In 2012, 2013 and 2019, the 'azulgrana' team stayed on the road against Chelsea, Bayern and Liverpool.

In those 10 matches, Barcelona won 3, drew 2 and lost 5 matches, with a balance of 13 goals in favor and 18 against. The team reached seven consecutive semi-finals between 2008 and 2013.

However, in the following 12 seasons, they could only be among the four best teams in the tournament in three opportunities. Will Hansi Flick's team be able to return to a Champions League final after a decade of absence?

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