Barca make music again

Barcelona firmly dismissed any idea they were struggling to replicate last season's excellence with a masterful Champions League victory over Inter, Spanish media said yesterday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi, who are both recovering from thigh injuries, watched from the bench but were not missed as the European champions swept past Jose Mourinho's side 2-0 on Tuesday with early goals from Gerard Pique and Pedro.

"Europe trembles, the champions have returned," said daily Sport. El Pais wrote: "Music maestro, Barca are back."

Two draws and a defeat from their four group games before Tuesday had left Barca in real danger of going out of the competition.

Coupled with a draw against Athletic Bilbao in the league at the weekend, which saw Real Madrid replace them at the top of La Liga, and Barca looked to have lost the spark that took them to a memorable treble last year.

"The Blaugrana were back to their best. Alert in defence, sharp in attack, and with the creativity in midfield," El Pais added.

Inter manager Mourinho applauded his team's conquerors: "Barca's football is spectacular.

"They played with greater intensity than we did, passed the ball better and quicker, and were perfect in their pressuring up front. They are a special side."

Sports daily AS was critical of the visitors' performance. "Inter passed through the Nou Camp like a sack of training balls, without leaving any kind of mark," they said.

Barca top Group F with eight points, two above Inter and Rubin Kazan, who meet at the San Siro in the last round of matches next month. Barca visit Dynamo Kiev.

Barcelona now turn their focus on the visit of Real Madrid for Sunday's 'clasico' at the Nou Camp.

"This result puts us back in a positive dynamic and helps boost our morale for the visit of Real," Xavi told reporters.