3) Barcelona’s first ever European Cup triumph
Before Guardiola’s brilliant Barcelona team the very first great Barcelona side to conquer Europe was the Johan Cruyff dream team. Barcelona were always in the shadows of Real Madrid when it came to European football.
They did win their fair share of La Liga titles but somehow always faltered in Europe. It was the one trophy that eluded them. The Catalans appointed Johan Cruyff in 1988 and he brought in several players who he thought would fit into his style of playing including Pep Guardiola.
His idea of Total football was a big hit with the club and earned them massive success, He first won the European Cup winners cup in 1989 defeating Sampdoria in the final. Three years later it was Sampdoria once again who were vanquished by his team and this time in the European cup final.
Cruyff’s and Guardiola’s teams were very similar to each other in terms of the success they both achieved with Barcelona. The former winning four consecutive La Liga titles from 1991-94 and his pupil Pep winning it three times.
But Cruyff broke the European barrier for which the Barcelona faithful will always be thankful. He is a true club legend and is sorely missed by the footballing fraternity.
