Barcelona prepared for El Clasico in perfect fashion as Ernesto Valverde's side beat Inter Milan 2-0 to make it three wins from three in the Champions League group stages.
Despite missing talisman Lionel Messi - out for three weeks with a broken arm - Barca controlled Wednesday night's Camp Nou clash and went ahead with a superb goal.
Luis Suarez clipped a wonderful cross beyond Inter's defence, and Rafinha - starting in the absence of Messi - finished with a deft volley after 31 minutes.
Barca's defence has been leaky this season, but the hosts held firm with Jordi Alba adding a second goal with seven minutes left to seal the win and take command of Group G with a maximum nine points so far.
With Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven drawing earlier in the evening, Barca's progress to the last-16 is all but assured as long as they avoid a disastrous run of results in their final three games.
The victory also sends Barca into Sunday's Clasico against La Liga rivals Real Madrid with a clean sheet and confidence that they can perform without Messi on the pitch.
