Riquelme bags brace as Barca cruise home

Barcelona 4, Parma 2

The Catalan club were superior in almost every department and only the eccentric goalkeeping of new signing Robert Enke prevented Parma suffering total humiliation. With a bonus point for every goal scored, Barca have already put themselves in pole position to land a trophy they previously won two years ago. It was a sweet return to Holland for Louis van Gaal, who has taken charge at the Nou Camp for a second time after his unsuccessful stint with the Dutch national squad. But, while happy at the form of his outfield players, Van Gaal might have a few concerns over former Benfica keeper Enke, who gifted Parma an equaliser after Geovanni had slid home Gabri’s far post cross.

At that stage, Barca were in complete command, but they were forced to redouble their efforts when Enke came charging out of his box trying to reach an aimless punt forward which posed little immediate threat.