Champions League: European champions Barcelona look back to their fluent best after a shaky start to the season as they begin the defence of their title against Bulgarian debutants Levski Sofia at the Nou Camp tonight. Frank Rijkaard's side produced a sparkling first-half display to demolish Osasuna 3-0 at home in the Primera Liga on Saturday, with striker Samuel Eto'o scoring twice and setting up the third for Argentine teenager Lionel Messi.
On top of an impressive performance up front, the Catalans looked solid at the back, dispelling worries about their defence after a 3-0 loss to Sevilla in the European Super Cup and the narrow 3-2 win over Celta Vigo in their first league match.
"We have come a long way since the Sevilla match, the team wasn't in such good physical shape then as it is now," said Rijkaard.
Rijkaard left skipper Carles Puyol on the bench, the first time the centre-back had been consigned to the dug-out for almost five years, but his replacement, Lilian Thuram, gave an assured performance at the centre of the back four.
"We showed we have got a lot of players that can do the job for us and we will need them all as it is a long, hard season," said Rijkaard.
"Puyol played two games for Spain and we have another match coming up soon so that's why he was on the bench."
Rijkaard reserved his highest praise for Eto'o although Ronaldinho also showed flashes of brilliance on returning to the line-up after missing the league opener with a bruised leg.
However, Levski Sofia coach Stanimir Stoilov is confident his team will be no pushovers on their Champions League debut.
"We know we'll meet the strongest side in Europe but despite that we'll be going for a win," Stoilov told reporters before the Bulgarian side's departure for Spain. "Everyone must accept that Levski will be playing for nothing but the win at the Nou Camp."
Levski became the first Bulgarian team to qualify for the Champions League group stage when they knocked out Italy's Chievo Verona.
"It's important our players will be feeling no pressure because no one expects them to perform miracles and they'll have the opportunity to show their quality," added Stoilov.
Levski had a less than ideal warm-up on Saturday when they demolished Marek's youth team 8-0, with most of the Dupnitsa-based first team refusing to play over unpaid salaries. Stoilov will be forced to make only one change in his starting line-up as Brazilian-born left back Lusio Vagner is suspended.
He will be most probably replaced by the versatile Stanislav Angelov, who usually plays on the opposite side of the defence. Bulgaria's under-21 captain Zhivko Milanov will fill the gap on the right.
"I hope we can get a good result, which means at least a point at the Nou Camp," said Levski's 36-year-old veteran Daniel Borimirov, part of Bulgaria's squad that reached the 1994 World Cup semi-finals.
"We've watched what Sevilla did in the European Super Cup match and we'll try to counteract Barca in similar style."
Barcelona v Levski Sofia
Camp Nou
Kick-off - 7.45pm
On TV - Sky Sports 2
