Barcelona give grounds for optimism

Having only scraped into this season's UEFA Champions League by the skin of their teeth, FC Barcelona have been quick to show their quality in what has been a promising campaign.

Qualifying rounds
The Spanish giants had Rivaldo to thank for his last-gasp goal against Valencia CF that secured them fourth place in the Primera División last term, but they still had to come via the qualifying rounds to earn a place in the first group stage. One of Europe's most famous clubs, Barcelona had disappointed in their previous Champions League campaigns - failing to progress from the first group stage - but four UEFA Cup victories and a European Champion Club's Cup win speak volumes for their European pedigree.

High expectations
The arrival of several new faces during the summer, along with some high-profile exits, once again heightened expectations at the Camp Nou stadium. But while the club have prospered in Europe, their domestic form has been patchy.

New faces
The highly rated Javier Saviola and goalkeeper Roberto Bonano both joined from Club Atlético River Plate and have impressed in a team that also includes former FC Bayern München defender Patrik Andersson, a Champions League winner last season, and Brazilian midfield player Fábio Rochemback.

FIRST GROUP STAGE: Winning style

Victory in their opening two Group F matches set the tone as Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe SK were both dispatched with relative ease. Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo were on target in a 2-0 home win against Lyon, while strikes from Kluivert, Andersson and substitute Saviola proved too much for Fenerbahçe in Turkey.

Only defeat
A 2-1 defeat then followed against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany but compensation came when Luis Enrique's winner secured victory by the same scoreline in the return fixture. A late Gerard López goal secured a 3-2 away win against Lyon on Matchday Five and an unstoppable injury-time free-kick from Rivaldo undid Fenerbahçe in the final first group stage fixture.

SECOND GROUP STAGE: Saviola double

Barcelona continued their fine form in the opening Group B fixture, beating in-form Liverpool FC 3-1 at Anfield stadium. Kluivert, Rochemback and Marc Overmars all scored as the Spanish side came from a goal down to make sure of a valuable three points. Barcelona had to come from two goals down in their next match, with Saviola grabbing both goals in a 2-2 home draw against Galatasaray SK.

REMAINING GAMES: Roma next

Leading Group B with four points, Barcelona now face back-to-back matches against Italian Serie A champions AS Roma. The first meeting, at the Camp Nou, is set for 20 February and will be the toughest test yet of Barcelona's European credentials.

THE COACH: Carles Rexach

Rexach made over 600 appearances for Barcelona from 1965 to 1981, scoring 195 goals. He took the managerial reins in April 2001, following the sacking of Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, and was assistant coach to Luis Aragonés, Johan Cruyff and Louis van Gaal between 1987 and 1997.

Safe pair of hands
With his knowledge of the club, Rexach is seen a safe pair of hands to guide Barcelona forward. The arrival of the likes of Saviola and Andersson will have boosted the confidence of supporters but the sales of Emmanuel Petit and Boudewijn Zenden to Chelsea FC and Josep Guardiola to Brescia Calcio put extra pressure on the 54-year-old Barcelona-born coach to deliver in his first full season in charge.

THE PLAYER: Javier Saviola

The brightest hope of success for many Barcelona fans, Saviola has impressed during his first season with the club. Signed for €25m from River Plate in June 2001, the diminutive forward has netted three Champions League goals this term and has been quick to find the target in the Primera División.

First goal
Saviola's first Champions League goal came in the 3-0 win over Fenerbahçe, before a double strike against Galatasaray SK further enhanced his fast-growing reputation. However, the 21-year-old has spent much of his time on the substitutes' bench this season, as Patrik Kluivert and Rivaldo continue to be Rexach's number one strike partnership.

DOMESTIC FORM: Patchy form

After 16 league matches, Barcelona were still in title contention in sixth place, five points adrift of leaders Real Madrid CF. A patchy start saw them struggle to find any real consistency but later form brought them back in line with the other pace setters.