Valverde thrilled Barça have topped group

The five-time European champions have not lifted the Champions League for three seasons, but have got off to an excellent start in their quest to end that run.

A win away to PSV on Wednesday night confirmed that they will top a tough group with a game to spare, and manager Valverde is thrilled with how his team have started in the competition.

"We're so happy to have mathematically topped the group. Considering how much we have struggled away from home in recent years and found it hard to score goals, I'm especially pleased to have got two wins and a draw this year." the former Atletic Bilbao manager said after the game.

"PSV played well. They were very lively on the counter-attack and the balls we lost meant they were able to get into dangerous positions and even hit the woodwork a few times. It was a hard place to play at. But the more the game progressed the more chances we were able to create."