Let’s take a moment to remember.
FC Barcelona was one of Europe’s biggest clubs, but for 93 years, it hadn’t reached the pinnacle of European football. And between 1961 and 1990, Barcelona had won just two La Liga titles. Despite all the glamour of the club, and a not insignificant historical trophy haul... most Barcelona fans of the time saw themselves as somewhat cursed, not as one of the standard bearers for success the way we see the club now.
Perhaps it wasn’t obvious yet in 1990, but it all had changed with the arrival of Johann Cruyff as manager in 1988. Cruyff was a club legend who rightly should be considered among the best to ever play the game, but his influence as a manager is perhaps greater.
He assembled a team that relied on players from the Spanish league and international stars such as Ronald Koeman and Hristo Stoichkov, that played fluid, attacking football. In 1991, Barcelona regained the league title, which would become a yearly occurrence under Cruyff. It was a big moment, but the only way to ascend, truly, was the European Cup.
In the 1991-92 edition of the tournament, Barcelona were drawn with East German champions Hansa Rostock. Barcelona won the first leg comfortably at Camp Nou, 3-0 with goals from Michael Laudrup and Jon Andoni Goikoetxea. Barça lost the return leg 0-1, but they went on to the next round.
Then they faced West German champions Kaiserlautern. Barcelona again were strong at Camp Nou, winning 2-0 with a brace from Txiki Begiristain. However, in Germany, they were in trouble. Demir Hotic scored twice for Kaiserlautern, bringing the tie level. It got worse thanks to a goal from Bjarne Goldbæk, who in the 76th put Kaiserlautern up 3-2 on aggregate. But Barcelona struck late with a dramatic equalizer from José Mari Bakero in the 90th and went through on away goals.
The next round was a group stage with Sparta Prague, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv. Barça were unbeatable at Camp Nou, winning all three matches. They also got a draw against Benfica away from home, and won 2-0 in Kiev, winning their group comfortably. Onto the final!
Wembley Stadium. May 20th, 1992.
Italian champions Sampdoria awaited. Barcelona lined up with Andoni Zubizarreta, Nando, Albert Ferrer, Koeman, Juan Carlos, Bakero, Julio Salinas, Stoichkov, Laudrup, Pep Guardiola, and Eusebio Sacristán.
It was an evenly matched game, with neither side getting the breakthrough in ninety minutes. Stoichkov hit the post, in perhaps the clearest chance, but it wasn’t meant to be. Were Barcelona destined for another near miss after previous failures in European finals?
In the 112th minute, the course of history changed. A free kick from long range was set up for Koeman to have a shot at goal. He thumped his effort, the ball whistling to his left. Gianluca Pagliuca, who would later go on to represent Italy at the 1994 World Cup, dove towards it, but it flew by him and into the back of the net.
The relief on the players’ faces was obvious; they were exorcising a demon. Cruyff introduced an extra defender in place of Guardiola, José Ramón Alexanko, and Barcelona were able to hold out until the final whistle.
Barcelona, European Cup champions for the first time.
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