The holders were below their brilliant best but still could have won by a hatful of goals as Lionel Messi starred once again in a home victory which was never in doubt
Barcelona made it two wins out of three in the Champions League this term as they overcame Czech side Viktoria Plzen 2-0 thanks to goals from Andres Iniesta and David Villaat Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.
The impressive Iniesta gave the Catalans the lead after 10 minutes with a lovely goal as he combined with Lionel Messi and Villa rounded off the scoring with a late second after the hosts had missed a series of chances.
Barca were pegged back by AC Milan in their first Champions League game this term, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, but Pep Guardiola's men returned to form in their second match as they thrashed BATE Borisov 5-0 in Belarus.
Imperious at home in the Primera Division this season, having scored 21 goals without reply in four crushing victories over Villarreal, Osasuna, Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander, the Catalans looked set to rack up another comprehensive win here.
Guardiola was without Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in defence, but stand-ins Javier Mascherano and Eric Abidal were barely troubled as the home side exerted their influence early on.
And they didn't have to wait long to go ahead as Iniesta combined with Messi on the edge of the box, controlled with his right foot and slid a low shot into the corner with his left.
The midfielder had returned from a hamstring injury on Saturday against Racing and Barca look a different team when he is on the pitch.
Iniesta then set up David Villa moments later, but the Spain striker shot wide.
Villa came close again later in the half with a trademark angled drive from distance which was just off target, while Messi came within a whisker of a second goal as he got between two defenders but was left without an angle and saw his effort saved by Viktoria keeper Marek Cech.
Pedro then fired over from a rebound with an open goal to aim at and Messi hit the side netting before sending a free-kick against the woodwork on the stroke of half-time.
The Argentina captain was brilliant as the second half got underway, hitting the post again and almost scoring a wonder-goal as the visitors held on for dear life.
The 24-year-old was also brought down in the area with eight minutes left and Barca could have had a penalty, but it mattered little as Villa was on hand to sweep home the rebound anyway.
AC Milan beat BATE by the same scoreline in the other match, meaning the Italian side and Barca are level on seven points and already look certain to reach the knockout stages.
The impressive Iniesta gave the Catalans the lead after 10 minutes with a lovely goal as he combined with Lionel Messi and Villa rounded off the scoring with a late second after the hosts had missed a series of chances.
Barca were pegged back by AC Milan in their first Champions League game this term, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, but Pep Guardiola's men returned to form in their second match as they thrashed BATE Borisov 5-0 in Belarus.
Imperious at home in the Primera Division this season, having scored 21 goals without reply in four crushing victories over Villarreal, Osasuna, Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander, the Catalans looked set to rack up another comprehensive win here.
Guardiola was without Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in defence, but stand-ins Javier Mascherano and Eric Abidal were barely troubled as the home side exerted their influence early on.
And they didn't have to wait long to go ahead as Iniesta combined with Messi on the edge of the box, controlled with his right foot and slid a low shot into the corner with his left.
The midfielder had returned from a hamstring injury on Saturday against Racing and Barca look a different team when he is on the pitch.
Iniesta then set up David Villa moments later, but the Spain striker shot wide.
Villa came close again later in the half with a trademark angled drive from distance which was just off target, while Messi came within a whisker of a second goal as he got between two defenders but was left without an angle and saw his effort saved by Viktoria keeper Marek Cech.
Pedro then fired over from a rebound with an open goal to aim at and Messi hit the side netting before sending a free-kick against the woodwork on the stroke of half-time.
The Argentina captain was brilliant as the second half got underway, hitting the post again and almost scoring a wonder-goal as the visitors held on for dear life.
The 24-year-old was also brought down in the area with eight minutes left and Barca could have had a penalty, but it mattered little as Villa was on hand to sweep home the rebound anyway.
AC Milan beat BATE by the same scoreline in the other match, meaning the Italian side and Barca are level on seven points and already look certain to reach the knockout stages.
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