The first two semi-finalists

Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are the two first semi-finalists of this year’s Champions League. In the event of a Barça victory this evening over PSG, the draw, which will be held on Friday at 12.00, could pair the Blaugrana up against one of these two teams. Here’s an overview of how Barça have faired against the German and Spanish clubs in European competitions.

Barça downs Dortmund

Even though FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have never played against each other in the Champions League, the Blaugrana know what it’s like to defeat the German club in European play. In the 1997/98 season, the teams faced off in the European Super Cup (the only time the teams have played against each other).

Barça showed themselves to be more solid in the away leg at the Camp Nou as they won by 2-0. In the return leg, Borussia Dortmund tried to mount a comeback but Barça held them to a one-all draw. Barça returned home with the title.

Nearly even record with Real Madrid in Europe

FC Barcelona’s record against Real Madrid in European competitions stands at two victories, three draws and three defeats, from a total of eight matches. A Clásico in the semi-finals of the Champions League is certainly not a rare occurrence; in fact, the first time the two teams faced off against each other in Europe was in a semi-final. Barça and Madrid battled it out for a spot in the final in the 1959/60 season and the memories Barça fans have of the tie aren’t good: Los Blancos won 1-3 at the Camp Nou and 3-1 at the Bernabéu.

The next season, however, Barça sent Real Madrid out of the competition in the quarter-final round thanks to the 2-1 scoreline in Barcelona and the 2-2 in Madrid.

40 years went by before we were treated to another Champions League Clásico. It was in the 2001/02 season, when Real Madrid reached the final by defeating the Blaugrana 0-2 at the Camp Nou. Barça were unable to mount a comeback in Madrid the following week (1-1). But fate brought the two teams together again three years later, in the semi-final round of the Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid thanks to a one-all draw at the Camp Nou and a decisive 2-0 victory at the Bernabéu. Barça would go on to win the Champions League title in Wembley weeks later.