Barça are as good as through to the last 16 of the Champions League after easily beating an unambitious Rangers 2-0 at Camp Nou tonight. Only a highly unlikely combination of results, including a Lyon victory over Barça by at least three goals, could prevent Barça getting through.

Plenty of Rangers fans are already on the streets of Barcelona, mainly on the Ramblas and in Plaça Catalunya. I did see one guy looking lost on his own uptown on Diagonal, but he had plenty of time to find his mates.

Tomorrow night sees Champions League football again at Camp Nou with the visit of Rangers. Barça will be hoping to continue with their 100% home record this season. A win would almost guarantee a place in the last 16. However, Barça have a dreadful record against Scottish teams so anything could happen.

Next Wednesday Barça face an important Champions League game with Rangers, but due to the demands of TV companies and lack of support from the Spanish Football Federation their preparation will be less than ideal.

One of the things I always enjoy about Barça playing British teams is the opportunity to compare the British and the Spanish press. It is interesting to see how the papers tend to write what they believe their readers want to read, rather than reporting impartially what they have seen.

Barça had to settle for a 0-0 draw this evening as they were unable to break through a packed Rangers defence. Barça had a great deal of possession but couldn’t take any of the few chances they created.

Tomorrow evening sees the resumption of the Champions League as Barça take on Rangers at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. This match could be very important to see who finishes top of Group E as both teams are currently on six points. Ronaldinho is back in the squad for the game after missing Saturday’s defeat […]

Goals from Carles Puyol and Leo Messi gave Barça a deserved victory over a hard working Stuttgart team who threatened to cause an upset. Barça paid a price for the victory with injuries to Rafa Marquez and Puyol which left Barça playing with Thuram and Abidal as centre backs for the last half an hour.

Frank Rijkaard has said in a press conference this evening that he will wait until tomorrow before deciding if he will play Ronaldinho from the beginning against Stuttgart in the Champions League. He will also wait to see how Gabi Milito is after his injury against Levante.

 
The return of Leo Messi proved providential tonight for Barça who saw off a disappointing Lyon. An own goal from Clerc, one from Messi and then a  first goal from Thierry Henry in injury time gave Barça an important victory after all the criticism for the performance against Osasuna on Sunday.