Barca issue warning to title pretenders
Brazilian World Player of the Year Ronaldinho scored the final goal in a 5-0 win
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Tuesday, 12, Sep 2006 11:06
Barcelona romped to a 5-0 victory over Levski Sofia as they opened their defence of their European crown.
The Nou Camp was treated to an exhilarating display of attacking football as Andreas Iniesta, Ludovic Giuly, Carlos Puyol, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho all found the net.
The comprehensive manner of their victory ensured them top spot in Group A, in spite of Chelsea's win against Werder Bremen.
Blues' manager Jose Mourinho had claimed earlier this week that Inter Milan had the best squad in Europe but, if so, it seemed to do them little good as they lost 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon.
Their misery was compounded as Marco Caniera's goal was followed by a red card for former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.
Bayern Munich looked as if they too might slip up as they went into the break against Spartak Moscow locked at 0-0, but four second-half goals swept aside the visitors and took the Germans to the top of Group B.
Group C served up an unappetising pair of goalless draws as neither Liverpool and PSV or Bordeaux and Galatasaray could muster a goal.
By contrast, Fernando Morientes, who suffered a barren spell during his time at Liverpool, notched a hat-trick in his new club Valencia's 4-2 win at Olympiacos.
Roma trumped that scoreline however with a 4-0 win over Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk which ensures them an early advantage in Group D.