The 1996–97 season was FC Barcelona's 98th season in existence and 68th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football, La Liga.
Summary Before being dismissed by the club as head coach in May 1996, Johan Cruyff sought to reinforce the club for the upcoming season. While bids for Zinedine Zidane, David Ginola, Ryan Giggs, Aron Winter, and goalkeeper José Francisco Molina all proved unsuccessful, Laurent Blanc, Juan Antonio Pizzi and Luis Enrique did join the club.
The team enjoyed a decent season, winning both Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, but extended its run without winning the league title to three years, coming second to Real Madrid. The season's end saw major departures: Bobby Robson was replaced as coach by Louis Van Gaal and Ronaldo, the club's top scorer with 47 goals, made a surprise switch to Inter Milan.
Squad Squad at end of season
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type FW Ronaldo PSV Eindhoven U$20,0million Player agreement with FC Barcelona: U$1,6million per season until 2002 (plus two years optional) DF Laurent Blanc AJ Auxerre free MF Luis Enrique Real Madrid free FW Juan Antonio Pizzi CD Tenerife free FW Hristo Stoichkov Parma €2.4 million MF Goran Vucevic CP Merida loan ended MF Giovanni Santos FC €5.5 million GK Vítor Baía FC Porto €6.5 million DF Fernando Couto Parma FC €5.5 million Out Pos. Name To Type FW Jordi Cruyff Manchester United - MF Gheorghe Hagi Galatasaray SK - FW Meho Kodro CD Tenerife - MF Juan Carlos Moreno Albacete Balompié - DF Thomas Christiansen Real Oviedo -MF Toni Velamazán Real Oviedo -DF García Pimienta CF Extremadura -
Winter In Pos. Name from Type MF Emmanuel Amunike Sporting Lisboa €3.0 million Out Pos. Name To TypeFW Robert Prosinecki Sevilla CF -MF Jose Mari Bakero CD Veracruz -
Competitions La Liga
League table
Results by round
Matches
Copa del Rey
Eightfinals
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
Supercopa de España
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
First round
Eightfinals
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
Friendlies
Statistics Players statistics
See also FC Barcelona 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1996–97 La Liga 1996–97 Copa del Rey 1996 Supercopa de España
References
External links Official Site FCBarcelonaweb.co.uk English Speaking FC Barcelona Supporters ESPNsoccernet: Barcelona Team Page FC Barcelona (Spain) profile uefa.com - UEFA Champions League Web Oficial de la Liga de Fútbol Profesional