30 years since the 5-0 defeat of Real Madrid
8 January 1994 and almost exactly two decades earlier, 17 February 1974, are two dates that will forever be part of Barça folklore, and the same Johan Cruyff was involved in both. The Dutchman was in the team that won 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, and 20 years later managed the side to a win by the same score at Camp Nou.
In 1994 the famous fixture had yet to be called the 'Clásico', and people instead spoke about the 'game of the century', but following a poor display in a defeat at Sporting Gijón, there was concern among Barça fans that this one might not go their way. They were in for a surprise, and a very pleasant one, with one of the finest displays of the whole Dream Team era.
Romário's opener was one of the most beautiful goals ever to be scored in the blaugrana jersey, with a move that came to be called the 'cow's tail'. But with Barça leading 1-0 at the break, few could have predicted the amazing show that was in store after the restart. Ronald Koeman added a direct free kick, then Romário completed his hat trick with goals assisted by Nadal and Laudrup. It was young Iván Iglesias who completed the rout in the 86th minute, and the iconic image of that game was assistant coach Toni Bruins Slot leaping off the bench with his hand held aloft, each finger symbolising each of the five goals that his team had just put past their biggest rivals.
20 years earlier
That win came just days before the 20th anniversary of the equally famous 5-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu, which Cruyff himself recalled in an interview on Dutch television by saying “I was surprised that instead of congratulating us on the win, people were saying thank you."
On that cold night in Madrid, Barça were runaway leaders of the league, not having lost for 16 games, and this was one of the rare games that was teleivised live to the country in those days. Barça were utterly superior, going ahead from an Asensi header on the half hour, before doubling their lead with a superb low drive from Cruyff. Asensi capped a solo run to score his second and Barça's third, then Juan Carlos blasted in the fourth before Sotil nodded in the historic fifth.
17 February 1974
REAL MADRID: García Remón; Morgado, Benito, Zoco; Pirri, Rubiñán; Amancio, Velázquez, Macanás, Netzer & Aguilar (Santillana, 46’).
FC BARCELONA: Mora; Rifé, Torres, De la Cruz; Costas, Juan Carlos; Rexach, Asensi, Cruyff, Sotil & Marcial (Tomé, 70’).
Goals: 0-1, Asensi (31’); 0-2, Cruyff (39’); 0-3, Asensi (52’); 0-4, Juan Carlos (65’); 0-5, Sotil (70’).
Juan Manuel Asensi
"It was a lovely game and we played really well. On the half hour I scored the first goal from a pass from Marcial. Shortly after, when Johan scored the second, we felt more secure and in control of the situation. In the second half we were on a roll and the other goals came. I scored again, and Juan Carlos and Cholito Sotil also scored. The image I remember most is the Bernabéu fans applauding us as we went into the dressing room. The Madrid players stayed on the field. Afterwards, the coach gave some of us Barça players permission to go to a pub that Benito owned in La Castellana. I remember chatting with Madrid players and fans in the pub. Those were very different times!"
8 January 1994
FC BARCELONA: Zubizarreta; Ferrer, Koeman, Sergi; Nadal, Guardiola, Amor; Goikoetxea, Bakero (Iván Iglesias, 75’), Romário & Stóitxkov (Laudrup, 47’).
REAL MADRID: Buyo; Paco Llorente, Alkorta, Sanchís, Lasa; Míchel, Milla (Butragueño, 54’), Prosinecki, Luis Enrique; Zamorano & Alfonso (Hierro, 25’).
Goals: 1-0, Romário (24’); 2-0, Koeman (47’); 3-0, Romário (57’); 4-0, Romário (81’); 5-0, Iván Iglesias (87’).
Iván Iglesias
"After 30 years, that game is still part of my life, especially when I go to Catalonia. Understandable, it was a historic score by same margin as the one 20 years earlier at the Bernabéu, with Johan on the pitch. I was 22 and had just arrived at Barça and was sat next to Txiki on the bench, commenting on the game. I remember the mosaic made by 120,000 culers, the moment I came on for Bakero… and the goal, of course. A long ball from Romário between the centre back and full back, and I was face to face with Buyo and put the ball between his legs. Imagine the joy, that made it 5-0. And that iconic image of Toni Bruins with his hand open. I feel very fortunate to have been part of that team and for what I learned from Johan. His legacy will remain forever."