Barcelona, one of the most successful football clubs in the world, has an impressive history in European competitions. They have participated several times in the prestigious UEFA Cup, now known as the UEFA Europa League. Let’s take a closer look at how many UEFA Cups Barcelona has won and their journey to success.
The Early Years
Barcelona’s first appearance in the UEFA Cup came during the 1955-1956 season. However, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Sporting CP. The club had to wait for another opportunity to make their mark on this competition.
1970s: The First Triumph
In the 1971-1972 season, Barcelona finally lifted their first UEFA Cup trophy. Under coach Rinus Michels, they showcased exceptional performances throughout the tournament.
The team was led by legendary players like Johan Cruyff and Carles Rexach. In an intense two-legged final against English club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-2 aggregate score.
A Successful Defense
The following year, in the 1972-1973 season, Barcelona successfully defended their title and won their second consecutive UEFA Cup. Under coach Helenio Herrera, they defeated Leeds United in a thrilling final with a 3-0 scoreline over two legs.
The Modern Era
- 1996: After a long gap of over two decades without success in this competition, Barcelona reached the final once again during the 1995-1996 season. Unfortunately, they were defeated by German club Borussia Dortmund.
- 2006: In another attempt to lift the trophy, Barcelona reached the final under coach Frank Rijkaard during the 2005-2006 season.
However, they were defeated by another English club, Liverpool, in a memorable final that ended in a 2-1 scoreline.
- 2021: Barcelona’s most recent UEFA Cup campaign came during the 2020-2021 season. Under coach Ronald Koeman, Barcelona reached the round of 16 but were eliminated by French club Paris Saint-Germain.
Total UEFA Cups
To summarize, Barcelona has won the UEFA Cup on two occasions: in the 1971-1972 and 1972-1973 seasons. Despite their success in other European competitions like the UEFA Champions League, their footprint in the UEFA Cup is relatively modest. However, these victories remain a proud part of Barcelona’s history.
As Barcelona continues to strive for excellence on both domestic and international stages, their fans eagerly await another successful campaign in the UEFA Cup.