If you think of Barcelona, the Camp Nou is never too far from your mind. The club have recently reportedly announced plans to renovate their historical home.
With that in mind, Sports Mole remembers some of the best matches to take place there in recent memory.
1. Barcelona 3-2 Valencia, June 17, 2001
League seasons rarely end quite so thrillingly. Rather than challenging for the title, Barcelona needed to beat Valencia to go above them into fourth and qualify for the Champions League on the last day of the La Liga season in 2001. Valencia, conversely, just needed to draw.
Cue Rivaldo. The Brazilian was a big game player throughout his career and this was one of his best moments. His inspired hat-trick, including a wonderful bicycle kick from the edge of the box, inspired Barcelona into the Champions League.
2. Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 29 November, 2011
El Clasico is a derby so often full of quality. It is feisty on the pitch and in the stands, with the bragging rights so frequently exchanged. In November 2011 Barcelona stole the show with a quite magnificent display of attacking football while they were at the peak of their power.
On the clubs 111th anniversary, goals from Xavi, Pedro, a brace from David Villa and finally Jeffren blew Real out of the water in what was otherwise billed a close encounter.
3. Barcelona 3-3 Manchester United, November 25, 1998
In the late 1990s, the Champions League was anyone's game. There were a host of clubs who were expected to have a shot at it, and three of those - Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern - were drawn in Group D together. Both games against United were crackers, with the Camp Nou match perhaps shading it.
United were not particularly strong away from home in Europe by this point, but they came to Barca full of energy and optimism. Rivaldo again, believe it or not, was magnificent and scored twice - another an overhead kick. But the points were shared in a topsy-turvy game.
1998 (November 25) Barcelona (spain) 3... by sp1873
4. Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea, April 18, 2000
This match is a perfect example of two-legged European football at its finest. Chelsea were 3-1 up from their home leg with a foot in the Champions League semi-finals, but with an away goal there is always hope for the return fixture.
Sure enough, Barcelona levelled the score on aggregate by going 3-1 up on the night, but it was they who were stronger in extra time. A Rivaldo (again) penalty and Patrick Kluivert broke Chelsea hearts and send Barca through to the semis.
5. Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal, March 8, 2011
Knockout football can be such a harsh thing. In 2011 Barcelona again had to come from behind to a London side, this time Arsenal, but the margin here was even closer. Arsenal were 2-1 up from the opening leg and had pulled back on the night to level it at 1-1.
The turning point was arguably Robin van Persie's red card for kicking the ball away after being flagged offside, after which point they could not contain Barca who ran out 3-1 winners, 4-3 on aggregate to reach the last eight.
Matt Domm
