2 November 1999
AIK STOCKHOLM 2-3 ARSENAL
Overmars first was a superb low volley from Petit's awesome cross. Andersson ran onto Novakovic's through pass, skinned Upson, rounded Manninger and tapped
into an empty net. Kanu rescued Arsenal by laying on goals for Overmars and Suker. Ole Andersson picked out his namesake with a beautiful clipped pass and
he once again abused Manninger before rolling the ball into the net.
Attendance : 33,005
FIORENTINA 3-3 BARCELONA
Bressan set the game alight with a stunning 30yd overhead kick. Figo danced through the Fiorentina defence to beat Toldo and Rivaldo gave Barca the lead
from a free kick. Fiorentina hit back with two Balbo goals, Bressan laid on both. Rivaldo equalised with a close range strike from Kluivert's pass.
Attendance : 28,000
27 OCTOBER 1999
BARCELONA 5-0 AIK STOCKHOLM
Kluivert volleyed in Simao's cross and both players combined for the second Kluivert scored with an outrageous back heel volley and then swapped passes to
send in Zenden for Barca's 3rd , Gabbri headed in Barca's fourth and Asper made a horrendous blunder as his attempted block from Dehu's speculative shot ending
up in his own net.
Attendance : 60,000
19 OCTOBER 1999
ARSENAL 2-4 BARCELONA
Cocu's dive over Adams's outstretched leg convinced the ref to award a penalty. Rivaldo converted and Luis Enrique made it 2-0 when Adams slipped and gifted him
a route to goal. Arnau, chosen in goal ahead of Hesp, pulled off a great save to deny Ljunberg, then blocked a shot from Overmars and miraculously clawed over
Adams effort from the rebound. Seamen saved brilliantly to deny Figo. Bergkamp briefly got Arsenal back in the match with a fabulous strike, Kanu crossed,
Bergkamp wrong footed Abelardo with a deft flick and stuck the ball under Arnau's legs. Arnau made another miraculous save to deny Ljunberg and Figo restored
Barca's two goal lead when he duly punished Dixon's hospital pass and Cocu raced onto a breathtaking through pass by Guardiola to end any hope of a comeback.
Overmars grabbed a consolation from Suker's back heel.
There were shades of Abbiati in Arnau's performance. He looks a great prospect. Guardiola was off the charts awesome but there can be little doubt the ref hugely
influenced the income, he turned down several Arsenal penalty claims, including a blatant shirt tug on Kanu by Sergi, a claim for handball and a blatant obstruction
on Ljunberg? Rivaldo scored from the spot but did little else. Barcelona were extremely efficient in their finishing.
Attendance : 73,091
FIORENTINA 3-0 AIK STOCKHOLM
A deflected Batistuta free kick began the rout. Chiesa beat Asper with a great low strike and Rui Costa fed old man Balbo for Fiorentina's third.
Attendance : 30,000
29 SEPTEMBER 1999
BARCELONA 1-1 ARSENAL
Luis Enrique couldn't believe his luck as he caught Viera performing circus tricks on the goal-line after Manninger punched out a shot. Arsenal scored
immediately after Grimandi's sending off, Suker stung Hesp's arms with a shot from the edge of the box, Kanu volleyed in the rebound.
The glamour tie of the week failed to live up to expectations. A game littered with fouls, over 40 and 7 yellow cards, most of them to Arsenal. Barca
created two good chances in the match, Dixon cleared off his line from a corner and Manninger made a great save to deny a powerful Rivaldo strike.
Grimandi was sent off for elbowing Guardiola, one of the many dirty fouls committed by Arsenal. Poor Rivaldo never really got going but given the
kicking he received it's hardly surprising. Ugly performance by Arsenal, surely there is a better way to prevent the opposition from playing than by
simply kicking the shit out of them? Imagine if Petit had played!
Red Card : Grimandi 79 (Arsenal)
Attendance : 80,000
22 SEPTEMBER 1999
ARSENAL 3-1 AIK STOCKHOLM
Ljunberg ran onto a Bergkamp pass and poked the ball past the 'keeper. Nordin equalised as the Arsenal defence stood still appealing for offside. Arsenal wasted
numerous chances to make the game safe before Henry shot into the corner from Kanu's pass and laid a chance on a plate for Suker on the counter attack.
Attendance : 71,227
BARCELONA 4-2 FIORENTINA
Figo and Luis Enrique blasted Barca into an early lead before Batistuta's free kick deflected off Amoroso. Then it was time for the Rivaldo show. He put away a
penalty won by Figo and exchanged passes with Luis Enrique before shooting low past Toldo. Chiesa pulled a goal back when running onto a long punt upfield.
Attendance : 75,000
14 SEPTEMBER 1999
AIK STOCKHOLM 1-2 BARCELONA
A shock was on the cards until two headed goals from set pieces sparred Barca's blushes. Abelardo from a corner and Dani from a free kick. Novakovic opening the
scoring finishing off a great move with a deft chip over Hesp.
Attendance : 30,543