For the second time in a week Barça had to come from behind after conceding an early goal. In an entertaining encounter, Da Silva had put Stuttgart ahead after just two minutes but Giovani dos Santos equalized before half time and second half goals from Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho kept Barça’s 100% home record intact.

The only bad news for Barça was that Deco pulled out of the game after noticing a twinge during the warm-up, his place was taken by Xavi. At the moment I’ve heard no further news on Deco but it seems he didn’t play as a precaution, hopefully he will be OK for Saturday’s visit to Valencia.

Just as in Sunday’s game with Deportivo Barça conceded a very early goal, and once again the goalkeeper might have done more to save it. Milito gave away a free kick 25 yards out, Da Silva’s left footed shot curled and dipped and went in off the crossbar, Albert Jorquera, playing in place of Victor Valdés, got a touch on the ball but didn’t do enough to keep the ball out.

Barça immediately went in search of an equalizer, after four minutes an awful defensive pass went straight to Eto’o who seemed a little surprised at the gift and he reacted a little slowly giving Schäfer the chance to come out and narrow the angle. With Ronaldinho and Giovani looking lively Barça created at least six more attempts on goal in the first fifteen minutes, a double chance in the 11th minute after Gudjohnsen first put Xavi through for a shot that was saved and then as the ball came out Gudjohnsen this time set up Giovani whose effort was saved by the diving Schäfer. Giovani had another great chance after Eto’o put him through, but the Mexican shot at the keeper when Gudjohnsen was free at the far post.

The game was very open and Stuttgart looked to attack at every opportunity without giving Jorquera too much to do. Barça’s rhythm seemed to be dropping but then in the 36th minute they drew level. Ronaldinho chased Stuttgart right back Boka who slipped allowing Ronaldinho to rob him, Ronnie sent in a cross for Giovani running in like a centre forward, the ball seemed to hit Giovani’s torso and flew into the goal. Schäfer immediately appealed for handball and ran to the linesman to complain, earning himself a booking. The replay, however, showed that Giovani had indeed used his arm to deflect the ball in.

The second half was just as open as the first with Stuttgart looking to attack but Barça generally dominated. After 52 minutes Bojan came on for Gudjohnsen who had a very good game. Then in the 57th minute Barça took the lead. Meira slipped and lost possession to Xavi in the Barça half, Xavi took the ball 30 metres forward before releasing Eto’o who had made a tremendous run, Eto’o received Xavi’s pass with his right foot before shooting low past the keeper with his left.

Eto’o was taken off a few minutes later to a Camp Nou ovation, Iniesta coming on in his place. With Iniesta on the pitch everything seems easier. In the 67th minute he received the ball from Xavi and sent a superbly weighted pass to the overlapping Sylvinho who crossed for Ronaldinho sliding in to score. 

Marc Crosas then came on for Xavi for his Champions League debut, but the rest of the game was about whether Bojan could get the goal that would make him the youngest scorer in the Champions League. Unfortunately the goal didn’t come; Bojan’s best chance came after Ronaldinho sent him through but he failed to get past the last defender. Stuttgart, to their credit, never stopped looking for a goal, and they came closest when Ewerton let fly from 25 metres and nearly caught out Jorquera again. However, this time the ball came back off the crossbar.  

Barça should take heart from this performance, though it is unlikely that many teams will play as openly as Stuttgart at Camp Nou. Ronaldinho looked a shade sharper and will hopefully continue to improve, his workrate tonight was also impressive. Eto’o will be pleased to get on the scoresheet, before his goal he looked a little too anxious to score, but the run he made for the goal was sensational. Gudjohnsen also deserves a mention after possibly his best game this season. Marquez looked much better today in midfield than he did in the first half against Depor, but he picked up a stupid booking in injury time. My only concern is with Jorquera, while I think he has excellent reflexes he doesn’t look good on long shots and I don’t feel he instills confidence in the defence. I just hope Victor Valdés doesn’t get injured this season.

Barça: Jorquera 5.5, Puyol 6.5, Thuram 6, Milito 6, Sylvinho 6.5; Xavi 7 (Crosas m69, 6.5), Marquez 6.5, Gudjohnsen 7.5 (Bojan m52, 6); Giovani 6.5, Eto’o 6.5 (Iniesta m62, 7), Ronaldinho 7.5.

Goals: m2, Da Silva 0-1; m36 Giovani 1-1; m57, Eto’o 2-1; m67, Ronaldinho 3-1.

Barça Yellow Card: Marquez m92

Click here for extended highlights