Memorable European Confrontations, Part 27-1986 Barcelona vs. IFK Gothenburg

Barcelona and IFK Gothenburg were paired in the Semifinals of the 1985/86 Champions Cup.

The Spanish Giants under English Manager Terry Venables had won the League Title the previous season after an Eleven Year wait.

The squad included many current and former Spanish Internationals and led by the controversial West German midfielder Bernd Schuster.

They had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Czechoslovakia’s Sparta Prague (1-2 away, 1-0 home, away goals rule), Portugal’s Porto (2-0 home, 1-3 away, away goals rule) and most importantly the defending Champions, Italy’s Juventus (1-0 home, 1-1) in the Quarterfinals.

The Swedes, managed by Gunder Bengtsson, had last made an impression on Europe by winning the 1982 UEFA Cup vs. SV Hamburg.

Their squad also contained many International veterans as well as a number of players who would transfer abroad in the coming seasons such as Johnny Ekstroem, Glenn Hysen and Peter Larsson.

They had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Bulgaria’s Trakia Plovdiv (3-2, 2-1 away), Turkey’s Fenerbahçe (4-0, 1-2 away) and Scotland’s Aberdeen (2-2 away, 0-0, away goals rule) in the Quarterfinals.

The first leg, on April 2^nd, was played at Gothenburg’s Nya Ullevi Stadion.

Barcelona were the favored team initially and appeared confident after their elimination of Juventus.

The Swedes appeared more modest, their Manager Gunder Bengtsson declared that IFK had only a ‘30% chance of qualifying’, ‘Barcelona is favored, if we win it will be comparable to our UEFA win (in 82)’

The result was a complete surprise as Barcelona were completely outplayed by the Swedes.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2087, April 8, 1986

(Migueli and Tjorbron Nilsson, April 2, 1986, Champions Cup, IFK Gothenburg 3-Barcelona 0)

Barcelona were slow in defense and inexistent in midfield, most notably Schuster. The squad was a pale shadow of the team that had eliminated Juventus. Barcelona were missing Scottish striker Steve Archibald, Clos, Moratalla, Rojo (all injured) and Ramon Caldere was suspended.

IFK scored first in the 23^rd minute. Johnny Ekstroem flicked with a header Glenn Hysen’s cross to Torbjorn Nilsson to score.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2087, April 8, 1986

(Bernd Schuster, Tord Holmgren and Stig Frederiksson, April 2, 1986, Champions Cup, IFK Gothenburg 3-Barcelona 0)

Just before halftime, in the 43^rd minute, Nilsson and IFK doubled their lead.

On the right side, Ekstrom crossed into the box for Torbjorn Nilsson, who dribbled past a defender and scored.

After being (0-2) down at halftime, Barcelona tried to get into the match in the second half, but by opening up they allowed a third goal.

Photo From: Marca, April 3, 1986

(April 2, 1986, Champions Cup, IFK Gothenburg 3-Barcelona 0)

In the 59^th minute, Ekstrom took the ball towards the net on the path of Tom Holmgren, whose shot went between Javier Uruticoechea’s legs from a narrow angle on the left.

IFK could have scored more, as Torbjorn Nilsson also hit the post and they had two penalty kick appeals that were denied.

Barcelona dominated the last ten minutes. Julio Alberto missed a good chance in a one on one with Thomas Wernersson and Marcos Alonso also hit the post.

While Barcelona blamed the state of the pitch (slippery), it had been obvious that the much faster Torbjorn Nilsson and Johnny Ekstroem were too much for Barcelona veterans Migueli and Jose Ramon Alesanco.

Gunder Bengtsson said he knew Migueli and Alesanco were slow and they could surprise on the counterattack. He felt the game had been won at midfield.

Photo From: L'Annee du Football 1986

(Victor and Tjorbron Nilsson, April 2, 1986, Champions Cup, IFK Gothenburg 3-Barcelona 0)

He made a mention of Roland Nilson who played well despite playing in that position for the first time.

Stefan Pettersson felt they had been underestimated, while Tord Holmgren asked ironically ‘was Schuster playing?

Holmgren went on to say that their spies had seen Barcelona play in the previous weeks and had noticed that they were somewhat off form, but tonight against IFK they were completely off form.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2087, April 8, 1986

(Jose Ramon Alesanco and Johnny Ekstroem, April 2, 1986, Champions Cup, IFK Gothenburg 3-Barcelona 0)

Torbjorn Nilsson was realistic, he felt Barcelona could score three goals at home but he was confident they could at least pull back one or even two.

He was surprised to have played against such a slow defense, completely abandoned by the midfield.

Nilsson also felt they (IFK) were lucky Barcelona did not score near the end as it would have been different in second leg.

He was cautious that if Barcelona scored a quick goal they could hand them a beating.

Venables was confident of overturning the deficit. He believed it was not insurmountable, but warned his squad. His main fear was IFK’s counter attacks.

April 2, 1986

IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg (Sweden) 3-Fútbol Club Barcelona (Spain) 0

Champions Cup- Semifinals, First Leg

Venue: Göteborg- Nya Ullevi Stadion

Attendance: 48,000

Referee: Vojtech Christov (Czechoslovakia)

Goalscorers: (IFK Gothenburg):Torbjorn Nilsson 23^rd,43^rd,  Tom Holmgren 59^th

  (Barcelona): None

                    

Lineups:

IFK Gothenburg:

1-Thomas Wernersson, 2-Roland Nilsson, 3-Glenn hysen, 4-Peter Larsson, 5-Stig Frederiksson, 6-Michael  Andersson (16-Per Edmund Mordt (Norway) 78^th), 7-Stefan Pettersson, 8-Tord Holmgren (14-Magnus Johansson 83^rd),9- Tommy Holmgren, 10-Johnny Ekstroem, 11-Torbjorn Nilsson

Coach: Gunder Bengtsson

Team Captain: Thomas Wernersson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  ICA

Uniform Colors: Blue/White Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Barcelona:

1-Javier Uruticoechea, 2-Gerardo, 6-Jose Ramon Alesanco, 3-Migueli, 4-Julio Alberto, 5-Victor, 10-Esteban (15-Fradera 64^th), 8- Bernd Schuster (West Germany), 7- Francisco Carrasco (14-Pedraza 53^rd ), 9-Raul Amarilla (Paraguay), 11-Marcos Alonso

Coach: Terry Venables (England)

Booked: Fradera 78^th (Foul on Johnny Ekstroem)

Team Captain: Bernd Schuster

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Meyba

Shirt Sponsor: No Advertisement on Shirt

Uniform Colors: Blaugrana Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

The second leg, on April 16^th , was played at Barcelona’s Estadio Nou Camp.

Barcelona were faced with a seemingly impossible task of overturning a three-goal deficit.

For Barcelona, Sanchez replaced Gerardo in defense; in addition, Ramon Caldere and Pichi Alonso came into the side replacing Amarilla and Marcos.

Barcelona were still missing Scottish striker Steve Archibald.

Barcelona were condemned to attack, IFK chose to play the offside trap.

The Swedes actually played well technically and many observers praised their style.

In the end their reliance on the offside trap was criticized for being the reason that their defense did not provide enough cover.

Venables tried to adjust his tactics by taking advantage of the fact that IFK defended in line (no man to man marking).

He chose by aerially attacking them, as a result too many crosses into the box.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2089,  April 22, 1986

(Francisco Carrasco, April 16, 1986, Champions Cup, Barcelona 3-IFK Gothenburg 0)

Barcelona were extremely motivated and this was exemplified with Bernd Schuster playing despite suffering from flu/fever.

Venables’ decision to start with Pichi Alonso would be an inspiring decision, as he would go on to be the star of the match and score a hat trick.

Pichi Alonso started the scoring in the 10^th minute. Ramon Caldere from the middle sent Alonso through and Alonso went past one marker and scored.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2089,  April 22, 1986

(April 16, 1986, Champions Cup, Barcelona 3-IFK Gothenburg 0)

The goal galvanized Barcelona but they also had some scary moments when Johnny Ekstroem hit the post and Uruticoechea was forced to make many saves.

Barcelona defender Jose Ramon Alesanco also accidentally scored an own goal. He was trying to cut a cross from the right side and the ball deflected off of him and hit the right post.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 125, May 1986

(Julio Alberto, April 16, 1986, Champions Cup, Barcelona 3-IFK Gothenburg 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 73, May 1986

(April 16, 1986, Champions Cup, Barcelona 3-IFK Gothenburg 0)

Barcelona scored the second goal in the 63^rd minute. From his own half, Caldere sent a long cross, Pichi Alonso took one touch to control and slotted past Wernersson.

Just seven minutes later in the 70^th minute, Barcelona had tied the aggregate score. Pichi Alonso scored with a downward header from a cross by Carrasco on the left side.

Pichi Alonso was so exhausted that he asked to be substituted and Francisco Clos replaced him in the 75^th minute.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 125, May 1986

(Pichi Alonso’s third goal, April 16, 1986, Champions Cup, Barcelona 3-IFK Gothenburg 0)

The match went into extra-time. Barcelona had an appeal for a penalty kick for a foul by Wernersson on Clos that was waived off.

The match was finally to be decided on a penalty kick shoot-out.

After seemingly falling behind, Barcelona once again rallied and against all odds won the tie on a penalty kick shoot-out.

Their goalkeeper Javier Uruticoechea came through at both ends. He saved Roland Nilsson’s attempt and immediately scored from his own attempt.

At the end of the match, Terry Venables was hoisted on his players’ shoulders.

IFK Manager Bengtsson acknowledged they had met a strong Barcelona and congratulated them in their triumph. He felt IFK had created some chances but could not materialize.

The enduring image of this match also remains a young Josep Guardiola celebrating (he was one of the ball boys).

Venables said afterwards, if he ever decided to write a book, his editor would throw it in the garbage, as it was so unbelievable that even Hitchcock did not have so much imagination.

Venables was rewarded by signing a new one year contract extension with Barcelona after being linked to Tottenham and Arsenal.

Initially upon joining Barcelona, he had signed a 3-year contract with a clause to return only to England. His new contract allowed him to leave after one year to anywhere.

Barcelona had qualified for the Champions Cup Final for the first time since 1961. The Final in Seville that had seemed a formality was lost on a penalty kick shoot-out vs. Romania’s Steaua Bucharest on May 7^th, 1986 after a scoreless match.

Afterwards Schuster’s ongoing feud with Venables would reach a boiling point and he would not play a single match the following season.

IFK Gothenburg would build up on this performance. Despite losing Johnny Ekstroem to Serie A’s Empoli in November 1986, the team would go on and triumph in the UEFA Cup the following year in May 1987 vs. Dundee United.

April 16, 1986

Fútbol Club Barcelona (Spain) 3-IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg (Sweden) 0

Champions Cup- Semifinals, Second Leg

Venue: Barcelona – Estadio Nou Camp

Attendance: 120,000

Referee: Paolo Casarin (Italy)

Goalscorers: (Barcelona): Pichi Alosno 10^th , 63^rd , 70^th

  (IFK Gothenburg): None

                    

Lineups:

Barcelona:

1-Javier Uruticoechea, 2-Sanchez, 6-Jose Ramon Alesanco, 3-Migueli, 4-Julio Alberto, 5-Victor, 10-Esteban , 8-Bernd Schuster (West Germany) (14-Pedraza 57^th ), 11-Ramon Caldere, 7-Francisco Carrasco, 9-Pichi Alonso (16-Francisco Clos 75^th)

Coach: Terry Venables (England)

Booked: Jose Ramon Alesanco 40, Migueli 92, Ramon Caldere 102

Team Captain: Bernd Schuster

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Meyba

Shirt Sponsor: No Advertisement on Shirt

Uniform Colors: Blaugrana Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

IFK Gothenburg:

1- Thomas Wernerssonm 2-Roland Nilsson, 4-Peter Larsson, 3- Ruben Svensson (16- Per Edmund Mordt (Norway) 50^th), 5- Stig Frederiksson, 6-Michael Andersson, 7-Stefan Pettersson, 8-Tord Holmgren (Magnus Johnasson 115^th), 9-Tommy Holmgren, 11-Torbjorn Nilsson, 10- Johnny Ekstroem

Coach: Gunder Bengtsson

Booked: Mordt 96

Team Captain: Thomas Wernersson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  ICA

Uniform Colors: Blue/White Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Penalty Kicks:

IFK Gothenburg: Pettersson (1-0), Wernersson (2-1), Larsson(3-2), Frederiksson(4-2), Roland Nilsson (missed) (4-3), Mordt (missed)(4-4)

Barcelona: Alesanco (1-1), Pedraza (2-2), Carrasco (missed) (3-2), Caldere (4-3), Uruticoechea (4-4), Victor (4-5)

References:

France Football, Issue 2087, April 8, 1986

France Football, Issue 2089,  April 22, 1986

Onze, Issue 125, May 1986

Marca, April 3, 1986

Marca, April 17, 1986

Mondial, new series, issue 73, May 1986

World Soccer, May 1986

Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, 14, 06.04.86

L'Annee du Football 1986