Product Description
The first English language account of FC Barcelona's historic year when six trophies were brought to the Camp Nou. Barcelona made history by becoming the first Spanish club to win the 'treble' of Champions League, La Liga & Copa Del Rey then went on to win the Super Cups of both Spain and Europe before lifting the World Club championship in December 2009.
Not only did they win everything in sight they did so playing a brand of exciting, attacking football which enthralled millions worldwide. With players like Iniesta, Xavi, Henry and the inimitable Leo Messi, Barcelona set standards not seen in the club game for decades - if ever.
Yet when they started out on their path to glory few gave them much hope of success. Five players had left the club and a new, young and untested manager was in place.
This is the story of how they conquered the world, match-by-match, from a friendly on a rugby field in Scotland to the humbling of arch-rivals Real Madrid in their own Bernabeu stadium, on to their Champions League success over Manchester United in Rome and ultimately to Abu Dhabi where they won the World title.
Author and football historian David Ross witnessed many of their triumphs first hand in the Camp Nou and uses his experience to bring to life Barcelona's exploits in an easy-to-follow and enjoyable to read chronological format.
Barcelona's many fans in the English-speaking world can now share the excitement of those memorable times when the club from Catalunya truly did live gloriously.
Not only did they win everything in sight they did so playing a brand of exciting, attacking football which enthralled millions worldwide. With players like Iniesta, Xavi, Henry and the inimitable Leo Messi, Barcelona set standards not seen in the club game for decades - if ever.
Yet when they started out on their path to glory few gave them much hope of success. Five players had left the club and a new, young and untested manager was in place.
This is the story of how they conquered the world, match-by-match, from a friendly on a rugby field in Scotland to the humbling of arch-rivals Real Madrid in their own Bernabeu stadium, on to their Champions League success over Manchester United in Rome and ultimately to Abu Dhabi where they won the World title.
Author and football historian David Ross witnessed many of their triumphs first hand in the Camp Nou and uses his experience to bring to life Barcelona's exploits in an easy-to-follow and enjoyable to read chronological format.
Barcelona's many fans in the English-speaking world can now share the excitement of those memorable times when the club from Catalunya truly did live gloriously.
From the Author
I was fortunate enough to witness Barcelona's record-breaking season in person. I was also able, thanks to the hospitality of club employees, to be given access to records, the club museum and, on occasion, a lofty seat in the press box.
My previous books have all dealt with some historic aspect of football (or soccer for those in the USA) but this was different. This time I was actually watching history being made. There was a real sense of occasion at every match as the so-called impossible dream of the 'treble' gradually became reality. It was a privilege to be on the streets of the Barcelona as the open top bus made its way from the port to the Camp Nou, hemmed in by over a million on the streets and another 100,000 in the stadium itself.
Having accomplished one impossible dream Barcelona then set out on another, annexing another three titles before the end of the calendar year 2009. Just think: six titles in six months. Arguments will rage over where this Barcelona team stands in the pantheon of all-time greats but few will dispute their right to be there. It will be a long time, if ever, before any club does what Barcelona did between May-December 2009.
I was lucky enough to see that history being made. I hope I have transmitted some of that in this book which takes the reader match-by-match, from pre-season 2008 to the World Club Championship in December 2009.
My previous books have all dealt with some historic aspect of football (or soccer for those in the USA) but this was different. This time I was actually watching history being made. There was a real sense of occasion at every match as the so-called impossible dream of the 'treble' gradually became reality. It was a privilege to be on the streets of the Barcelona as the open top bus made its way from the port to the Camp Nou, hemmed in by over a million on the streets and another 100,000 in the stadium itself.
Having accomplished one impossible dream Barcelona then set out on another, annexing another three titles before the end of the calendar year 2009. Just think: six titles in six months. Arguments will rage over where this Barcelona team stands in the pantheon of all-time greats but few will dispute their right to be there. It will be a long time, if ever, before any club does what Barcelona did between May-December 2009.
I was lucky enough to see that history being made. I hope I have transmitted some of that in this book which takes the reader match-by-match, from pre-season 2008 to the World Club Championship in December 2009.
