Barca relishing big challenge to extend European reign

MADRID, Sep 7 (Reuters) Barcelona finally laid to rest the ghosts of underachievement in the continent's elite football competition when they won their second European Cup with their 2-1 win over Arsenal in Paris last May.

The victory ended a 14-year wait for a trophy the club first won under the guidance of Johann Cruyff back in 1992 and allowed them to banish the memories of three lost finals.

With the bulk of the team still at the peak of their powers Barcelona believe they will not have to wait long for a third European crown.

Key players Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Deco and Carles Puyol are in their prime, while youngsters like Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have immense potential.

The question is whether a team that has won the Champions League and consecutive Spanish titles will still have the hunger needed to continue its success.

What with a lengthy promotional tour of the United States and pre-season talk of winning every trophy at stake, some believe the Catalans may be beginning to make some of the same mistakes that led to the downfall of Real Madrid after their last European success in 2002.

The team's heavy 3-0 defeat by Sevilla in the final of the European Super Cup proved that Barca are far from invincible and showed that when their midfield duo of Xavi and Deco is squeezed the Catalans struggle.

However, talk of Barcelona's demise seems premature.

Coach Frank Rijkaard has shown on numerous occasions that he is capable of keeping his players' feet on the ground and the Super Cup defeat could prove to be a timely wake-up call to the squad.

Neither of the club's two new defensive recruits Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram played against Sevilla and they should help rectify the defensive flaws that were so evident in that game.

Up front Eidur Gudjohnsen, who has arrived from Chelsea, appears to be the perfect replacement for Henrik Larsson, while both Ronaldinho and Messi have a point to prove after their disappointing performances at the World Cup.

Barca have been handed a tough qualifying group, with tricky games against Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia, and a third successive face-off against Chelsea.

The double header against Jose Mourinho's men will provide the perfect opportunity to gauge if Barcelona are capable of retaining their European crown.

REUTERS PDS KN1721