28 years since the first European Cup
28 years since the blaugranes' first ever victory in the European Cup as it was still known in 1992 when Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' claimed the blaugranes first ever victory in the competition at Wembley Stadium against Italian side Sampdoria. A goal in extra time from Ronald Koeman gave the blaugranes the win on a night to remember for Barça fans.
The Dutch coach put out a fearsome starting XI composed of Zubizarreta, Ferrer, Koeman, Nando, Guardiola, Eusebio, Bakero, Juan Carlos, Salinas, Laudrup and Stoichkov. In the second half Goikoetxea entered the fray and in extra time captain Alexanko also came on. Koeman's 112th minute free kick decided the game and cemented the place of the 20 May in the collective hearts of all Barça fans.
Getting to the final was no easy task. After beating Hansa Rostok over two legs, the blaugranes then overcame Kaiserslautern thanks a famous later goal from Bakero which allowed them to go through on away goals with the tie ending 3-3 on aggregate. In the group stage that preceded the final, Cruyff's team did away with Sparta Prague, Benifca and Dynamo Kyiv to book a place in the final in London.
After defeats in the 1961 and 1986 finals, Barça finally removed the proverbial monkey from their back in 1992. More was to come with Frank Rijkaard's team claiming the trophy in 2006, Josep Guardiola's team were victorious in two final in 2009 and 2011 and in 2015 Luis Enrique claimed the Champions League trophy in his first season as coach.
However, the first is always specials and Wembley and 20 May 1992 now form a very important part of FC Barcelona's long and distinguished history.