Barca eye UCL final as Iniesta's iconic goal turns 16

There are chapters that the memory of football is recurrent because they had a great impact. Andres Iniesta is the protagonist of two memorable ones: the goal against the Netherlands that gave Spain its first World Cup and the ‘Iniestazo’, that effort from outside the box that rescued Barcelona at Stamford Bridge to put them in the final of the Champions League when they were already eliminated. Chance would have it that 16 years have passed on the same day that the 'Cules' are looking to qualify for another one. 

A wink of fate or not, it is a good mantra to which the Barcelona fans can look forward to the new trip to the Giuseppe Meazza, a good omen that can invoke another remarkable moment. It has been many years since that other May 6th, but also since the last final they played: the one in Berlin, in which they would end up lifting the Champions League under Luis Enrique's orders after beating Juventus 1-3.

That match against Chelsea was intense, controversial and agonising. Mourinho's men, who had left the Camp Nou unscathed in the first leg (0-0), were able to take the game to their own territory and put Pep Guardiola's team in check. In fact, since Michael Essien's volleyed goal after 9 minutes, they had practically qualified for the final for the entire match. Abidal's sending off in the 66th minute made it all the more difficult.

Then came the 93rd minute of unforgettable images. With Dani Alves' desperate cross that nobody finished off. Eto'o's poor control. Essien's failed clearance. The three players on top of Messi forcing him to give it to Iniesta. And the man from La Mancha, who never dared to shoot because he preferred to pass, connecting the ball with the outside of his boot from the edge of the box to send Barcelona from London to Rome.

This time the journey being pursued is from Milan to Munich. Also with a draw in the first leg, now without double goal value. But one that Flick and his team would like to add to the great history book by qualifying for the club's ninth European Cup final.