BARCELONA - GROUP E winners Barcelona preserved their perfect record at home this season when they came from a goal down to beat VfB Stuttgart 3-1 at the Nou Camp in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Already eliminated Stuttgart took a shock lead when Brazilian midfielder Antonio da Silva scored with a superbly struck free kick in the third minute.

But the Catalans fought back strongly, Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos equalising before the break and Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho wrapping up to make it 11 home wins out of 11 in all competitions this season.

With nothing at stake in the match, Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard fielded a shadow side against the Germans featuring several second-string players including goalkeeper Albert Jorquera and highly rated youngster Giovani.

The new-look team found themselves a goal down in the third minute when Da Silva ballooned a free kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Great saves
Barca responded by laying siege to the Stuttgart area but, although they manufactured a host of scoring chances they were frustrated by a string of great saves from keeper Raphael Schaefer.

Eto'o, Xavi and Giovani all had goal-bound efforts blocked by Schaefer and it was not until nine minutes before the break that the Catalans managed to find a way past him.

Ronaldinho dispossessed full back Arthur Boka on the right flank and curled a shot towards the far post that deflected off the body of Giovani and span into the net.

Eto'o put Barca in front just before the hour when he cut in between the Stuttgart centre backs and fired home with his left foot after Xavi had surged his way up field during a neatly worked counter attack.

Ronaldinho wrapped it up 10 minutes later when he slid into the area to steer a low shot past Schaefer after Silvinho had cut the ball in from the left. -- REUTERS