Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Celtic to face FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League

Monaco (FCB).- Group G is a group full of storied teams. This Thursday afternoon’s draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco paired Tito Vilanova’s men up with Nolito’s Benfica, Unai Emery’s Spartak Moscow and the well-known Celtic FC, in Group G.

Storied past

FC Barcelona have played against these three teams in past editions of the Champions League. Benfica edged FC Barcelona by 3-2 in the 1960/61 season in the cursed 'woodwork final' in Bern. Barça also played against the Lisbon team in the Catalans’ 1992 and 2006 triumphant Champion League bids.

Barça have only played against Spartak Moscow on one occasion. It was in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the 1993/94 season. The Azulgranas beat Spartak, but then lost in the Athens final to AC Milan.

Of all the teams in Group G, FC Barcelona have played against Celtic FC the most. In total, the two teams have battled it out on four occasions. The record between Celtic FC and FC Barcelona is two wins apiece.

Complete match schedule

19/09 - FC Barcelona - Spartak
02/10 - Benfica - FC Barcelona
23/10 - FC Barcelona – Celtic
07/11 - Celtic - FC Barcelona
20/11 - Spartak - FC Barcelona
05/12 - FC Barcelona-Benfica

The Champions League Groups

Group A: Porto, Dinamo Kiev, PSG and Dinamo Zagreb

Group B: Arsenal, Schalke 04, Olympiacos and Montpelier

Group C: AC Milan, Zenit, Anderlecht and Málaga

Group D: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund

Group E: Chelsea, Shakhtar Donestk, Juventus and Nordsjaelland

Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille and Bate Borissov

Group G: FC Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Celtic

Group H: Manchester United, Sporting Braga, Galatasary and CFR Cluj