2008–09 UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League 2008 /09 was the 17th season of the most important European competition for club teams in football under this name and the 54th overall. The competition participated in this year 76 teams from 52 state associations part. Only Liechtenstein did not provide a representative. The Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia was not allowed to qualify because he had received for financial reasons, no UEFA license. His place was taken by runners Levski Sofia. FC Porto excluded in the first instance because of a bribery scandal referee in the 2003/ 04 group stage of the UEFA Champions League, won in the second instance the eligibility for the Champions League.
The season began with the first qualifying round on 15-16. July 2008 and ended with the final on 27 May 2009 at the Olympic Stadium Rome. There, the FC Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0.
Scorer of the competition was the Argentine Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with nine goals.
- 2.1 Group A
- 2.2 Group B
- 2.3 Group C
- 2.4 Group D
- 2.5 Group E
- 2.6 Group F
- 2.7 Group G
- 2.8 Group H
Qualification
First qualifying round
The first legs took place on 15-16. July, the return matches on 22-23. Place in July 2008.
Second qualifying round
The first legs were 29-30. July, the return game on 5/6 August 2008 instead.
Third qualifying round
The first legs took place on 12-13. August, the return matches on 26-27. August 2008 instead. While the winners participated in the Champions League group phase, the losers went in the 1st round of the UEFA Cup at the start.
Group stage
The games were held until December 10, from 16 September. The two first place winners in each group qualify for the knockout stages, change the group to the third Round of the UEFA Cup. Case of a tie between two or more teams after the group matches, the ranking was determined by the following criteria:
The following teams took part in the group stage and were randomly assigned to the following groups:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Second round
The first legs took place on 24-25. February, the return matches on 10-11. March 2009.
Quarterfinals
The first legs were held on 7 / 8 April and the return matches on 14-15. April 2009 instead.
Semifinal
The first legs took place on 28-29. April and the return legs on 5/6 May 2009 at. For the third year in a row there were three English teams in the semi-finals.
Final
The winning team of the FC Barcelona
( In brackets the appearances and goals are specified. )
- Goal: Albert Jorquera (1 / -), Víctor Valdés (12 / -)
- Defenders: Eric Abidal (3 / -), Dani Alves ( 10 / -), Martin Caceres (3 / -), Rafael Márquez ( 9/1), Gerard Piqué ( 12 / -), Carles Puyol ( 9 / -) Sylvinho (7/1 )
- Midfielders: Sergio Busquets ( 8/2), Aliaksandr Hleb ( 7 / -), Andrés Iniesta ( 9/1), Seydou Keita ( 10/2), Víctor Sánchez ( 3 / -), Yaya Touré ( 10 / -) Víctor Vázquez (1 / -), Xavi ( 12/2)
- Striker Samuel Eto'o ( 10/4 ), Eidur Gudjohnsen (4 / - ), Thierry Henry ( 10/5), Bojan Krkić ( 9/3 ), Lionel Messi ( 12/9 ), Pedro ( 4 / -)
- Coach: Josep Guardiola