FC Barcelona, eliminated this week in the UEFA Champions League semifinals by Inter Milan (3-3 in the first leg, 4-3 aggregate), is now preparing to face Real Madrid in El Clásico this Sunday, May 11 at 14:15 GMT. But beware—there’s a pattern that could worry the Merengues: Barça often bounces back well in LaLiga after European eliminations.

Strong Domestic Response After European Exits

Since the European Cup became the Champions League in the 1993-94 season, Barcelona has played 17 league matches immediately after being eliminated from Europe—with a record of 11 wins, 3 draws, and only 3 losses.

Here are the historical precedents:

• 1994-95 : 0-0 draw vs Valencia (after loss to PSG, quarterfinals)
• 1999-00 : 0-0 draw vs Real Sociedad (after loss to Valencia, semifinals)
• 2001-02 : 2-0 win vs Espanyol (after loss to Real Madrid, semifinals)
• 2002-03 : 2-1 win vs Real Sociedad (after loss to Juventus, quarterfinals)
• 2004-05 : 2-0 win vs Athletic Club (after loss to Chelsea, round of 16)
• 2006-07 : 3-3 draw vs Real Madrid (after loss to Liverpool, round of 16)
• 2007-08 : 6-0 win vs Valencia (after loss to Manchester United, semifinals)
• 2009-10 : 1-4 win vs Villarreal (after loss to Inter Milan, semifinals)
• 2011-12 : 0-7 win vs Rayo Vallecano (after loss to Chelsea, semifinals)
• 2012-13 : 4-2 win vs Betis (after loss to Bayern Munich, semifinals)
• 2013-14 : 1-0 loss vs Granada (after loss to Atlético Madrid, quarterfinals)
• 2015-16 : 1-2 loss vs Valencia (after loss to Atlético Madrid, quarterfinals)
• 2016-17 : 2-3 win vs Real Madrid (after loss to Juventus, quarterfinals)
• 2017-18 : 2-1 win vs Valencia (after loss to Roma, quarterfinals)
• 2018-19 : 2-0 win vs Getafe (after loss to Liverpool, semifinals)
• 2020-21 : 4-1 win vs Huesca (after loss to PSG, round of 16)
• 2023-24 : 3-2 loss vs Real Madrid (after loss to PSG, quarterfinals)

Will History Repeat Itself in Montjuïc?

With 11 wins in 17 matches following Champions League exits, Barcelona often finds solace in LaLiga. And while they already lost to Real Madrid this season after a European defeat, history shows that Barça tends to respond well in domestic play.

Hansi Flick's team may be wounded, but they’re also motivated to end the season by making a bold statement against their biggest rival.