Barcelona have suffered major embarrassment as they drop into Europe’s second competition – now called the Europa League – for the first time since defeat to Celtic in 2004.
Barcelona were beaten 3-0 away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. That result sent them crashing out of the Champions League group stage.
Xavi’s side now head into the Europa League, with Barcelona’s fall lurching from one depth to another.
When was the last time Barcelona played in the Europa League?
Well it wasn’t called the Europa League back then, instead being known as the UEFA Cup.
Barcelona ended up there in the 2003-04 season. After a sixth-placed finish in La Liga, it was the best they could manage.
After coasting through to the Fourth Round, Barcelona ran into Celtic – and that’s where things ended.
Celtic player scored last goal against Barcelona in UEFA Cup
Barcelona were beaten 1-0 away at Celtic as Alan Thompson buried the winner.
When the two sides met for the second leg in Catalunya, Celtic held out for a 0-0 draw against Barcelona.
That sent Barcelona out of the competition, with Celtic claiming a famous scalp.
Thompson’s goal for Celtic has stood for almost 18 years as the last goal Barcelona conceded in European competition outside of the Champions League
With Barcelona now heading into the Europa League, somebody will have the chance to end Thompson’s record – but nobody can take that famous night away from the Bhoys.
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