New Delhi: La Liga leaders FC Barcelona’s 125th anniversary celebration got dampened as they faced a disappointing 1-2 defeat against Las Palmas last night. The celebratory atmosphere from the grand event at the Gran Teatre del Liceu appeared to spill over, impacting their performance on the field.
Even after having the highest 26 shots in the match Hansi Flick’s side slip to their first loss against Los Amarillos since September 1971. The visiting side managed secure all three points at the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic, leaving Barca with just one point from the last nine matches in the league.
Full Time. #BarçaLasPalmas pic.twitter.com/95Fb6XliQT
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 30, 2024
However this defeat is not an isolated case for the club when it comes to club major anniversaries. Barcelona’s milestone celebrations have often been followed by disappointing losses in their subsequent matches.
Since FC Barcelona was founded by Joan Gamper on 29 November back in 1899 the club has celebrated many anniversaries in grand style including the silver (25th), golden (50th), diamond (75th), centenary (100th) and the recent 125th celebration.
Interestingly, a pattern of disappointing results following these milestone celebrations has emerged over the years with the 75th anniversary being the only exception to this trend.
Historic missteps
The so-called “anniversary curse” has haunted Barcelona for decades, dating back to their 25th anniversary in 1924. In a Campionat de Catalunya match against Terrassa, they suffered a disappointing 0-1 loss, setting the tone for a peculiar pattern of underwhelming performances during milestone celebrations.
Similarly, during their 50th anniversary in 1949, Catalans played Espanyol in a league match and lost 1-2, marking another instance of an anniversary celebration followed by an underwhelming result.
On the occasion of the centenary celebration in 1999, Barcelona suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid where Joan Manuel Serrat delivered a stirrind rendition of ‘Cant del Barca’. A lone penalty decided the match, dampening the fans’ spirits after the momentous celebrations.
❗️The defeat against Las Palmas was not the first time Barça lost an official match the game after celebrating the club’s anniversary. In fact, this has happened during three other major milestones in the club’s history: the 25th, 50th, and 100th anniversary.
After the 100th… pic.twitter.com/XMnf1EFOnd
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) December 1, 2024
The only exception to this series of loss came during their 75th anniversary celebration. On that occasion, Barcelona gave fans a moment to cherish. However, the 125th anniversary followed the familiar trend adding yet another defeat to this unusual pattern.
While the loss may have dampened the mood, these milestones continue to reflect Barcelona’s storied history and lasting legacy in football. Yet, it’s evident that their celebratory matches often leave fans yearning for stronger performances on the pitch.
FC Barcelona’s 125th anniversary celebration ends in defeat, adding to a long history of post-anniversary losses. Is the ‘anniversary curse’ real for the Catalan giants? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
