Barca begin campaign in five-star style

BARCELONA got their defence of the Champions League off to a flying start by giving out a 5-0 thrashing to Levski Sofia in torrential rain, in their Group A match last night.

Seeking to become the first team to retain Europe’s top club trophy since AC Milan achieved the feat in 1990, Barca tormented the Bulgarians with goals from Andres Iniesta, Ludovic Giuly, Carles Puyol, Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho.

Barca took to the pitch with seven of the men who also started when the Catalans beat Arsenal 2-1 in last season’s Champions League final in Paris and almost immediately showed their class. Iniesta opened the scoring after just six minutes with a wonderfully struck right foot shot from just outside the area.