Barcelona 2 - Panionios 0

Barcelona: Rüstü; Reiziger, Márquez, Mario, Oscar López; Xavi, Motta (Gerard 77'); Quaresma (Overmars 60'), Luis Enrique, Luis García; Saviola (Kluivert 65'). 4-2-3-1.
Panionios: Drobny; Giuliano Dos Santos, Giorgiopoulos, Gianopoulos, Smijanic; Parodi, Raguel (Tziolis 72'), Majewski, Kontis; Pino, Mantzios (Klimek 36', Mitrou 55')). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Saviola. Ran on to Mario pass to lift ball over keeper.
0-1. 43. Luis García. Took pass from Xavi to round keeper and score.

Barcelona completed the formalities after their win in Greece three weeks ago, running out 5-0 winners on aggregate against a weak Panionios side. Frank Rijkaard used the occasion to give a run out to some of his lesser used players, with Mario making his debut in a totally new defence and Luis Enrique playing in Ronaldinho's position behind Saviola. The veteran captain had been mooted as the ideal replacement for the Brazilian star during his month long lay-off for injury, but he blotted his copybook when he retaliated to a hard challenge by Rangel midway through the first half, getting himself sent off for elbowing the French midfielder in the face whilst both were lying on the ground.

Despite being down to ten men, the Catalans continued to dominate the game, and they took the lead when Saviola took advantage of a rebound off Mario to run through and lift the ball over Drobny and in to the net. And before half time Luis García got a second after a precision pass from Xavi put him through with only the keeper to beat. The second half was a complete stroll, with Rüstü only getting a couple of touches of the ball all game, although the crowd did get restless and gave substitute Kluivert a hard time when he failed to convert any of the chances that fell to him late on. Nobody was too upset though, and Barça can forget about Europe for a coupe of months or so and get on with improving their league position.