Barcelona will be in pot two for Champions League group stage draw for first time ever — but they weren’t always among best and in early 2000s were knocked out by Leeds, Liverpool and Celtic
Catalans have enjoyed an incredible spell of glory since 2004 but they haven't always been No.1 despite what it seems
BARCELONA will be in pot two for the Champions League group stage for the first time.
It is seen by many as yet further confirmation that they are no longer among the elite in European football.
However, in many ways, it's nothing new.
The summer of 2017 has been one to forget for Barcelona, with so many pillars of their strength being seriously challenged.
Many trace the origins of their recent dominance to the arrival of Joan Laporta as president and Ronaldinho as talisman.
Since 2004, Barcelona have constantly been the most feared team in Europe.
They have won the Treble twice — the only team to achieve the feat more than once — and the Champions League on four occasions in that period.
But, before that, they lived off their philosophy rather than their on-pitch success.
Most Read in football
Up until 1991, they had qualified for the European Cup on just FOUR occasions.
To their credit, when they did participate, they contributed and reached two semi-finals and two finals — losing to Benfica (1961) and Steaua Bucharest (1986).
Barcelona became European Cup regulars under Johan Cruyff in the early 1990s and later benefited when runners-up, third and fourth-place sides were admitted to Europe's top table.
In 1992, they equalled Aston Villa's haul and finally won the football's top club trophy for the first time — while, at the same time, Nottingham Forest had two and Liverpool FOUR.
Real Madrid's resurgence in the late 1990s brought about a mini-Spanish dominance of the Champions League, which ended Italy's early-1990s stronghold.
But it was Los Blancos who dominated, with "second in command" Valencia reaching two finals — and hammering Barca 5-3 in the 1999-2000 semi-finals.
The Catalans failed to emerge from the group stage in the season prior and after to their Mestalla debacle.
In 2000-01, they were eliminated by Leeds and dropped to the Uefa Cup where they were knocked out by Liverpool, and fellow La Liga side Alaves reached the final.
Competing in the same competition in 2003-04, they hit a new low when they were beaten by Celtic in the fourth round.
A shocking domestic campaign that season was only salvaged by the brilliance of Ronaldinho, who dragged his side to second place.
Barca used the Champions League as a springboard to attract the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Deco and Ludovic Giuly.
And it started a dynasty of incredible success which would go on for 13 years.
But, perhaps this is not the start of a new era — more a return to the way it always was.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Premier League Top Goalscorer 🚨
ROMELU LUKAKU has come in to 2/1 to finish as the Premier League top scorer.
The Belgian scored twice against West Ham on Sunday to put an immediate market down in the Golden Boot race.
Harry Kane, who has NEVER scored a goal in August, is 2/1.
And there is value to be had in Alexandre Lacazette.
He is 8/1 even after scoring on his debut against Leicester last week.
Sun Bets have a blinding special offer for top scorer.
If you bet £25 on any player to top the table at the end of the season, they'll give a £5 free bet for every game he scores in until October.
The offer is valid until midnight August 27 and is open to ALL customers.
BET £25 ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE TOP SCORER AND GET A FREE £5 BET FOR EVERY GAME HE SCORES IN
Keep up to date with ALL the Barcelona news, gossip and transfers on our club page