The striker made little impact in his first match back at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, as the European champions eased to a 2-0 Champions League victory that put it atop Group F.

Eto'o, a key member of Barcelona's attack for five seasons before being sent to the Serie A champions as part of the swap for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was welcomed back by over 90,000 fans with a loud ovation at the start.

That was as good as it got for Eto'o, who had few touches and even fewer chances.

With one match to play, Barcelona tops Group F with eight points _ two better than both Inter and Rubin Kazan, who meet in the last match. Dynamo Kiev has five in the still open group.

"I have confidence that we will qualify despite the defeat and I hope that Inter and Barca reach the (final) at the Bernabeu," Eto'o told Spanish TV.

Eto'o had a weak penalty appeal waived away just before halftime, hit wide in the 58th and then misplayed Thiago Motta's pass on a break in the 69th as the Nerazzurri were swallowed up by Barcelona's high-speed offensive game.

Eto'o at times seemed happier to soak up the attention from the warmup, when he took time to applaud the few fans who had already trickled in. Eto'o helped Barcelona win eight major trophies in five seasons, including a historic treble of Champions League, league and Copa del Rey trophies last season.

"I won't change the opinion I have about this great player," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who shipped Eto'o out because he had a "feeling" it was time for the striker to go.

Eto'o said the strangest thing was "being in the other locker room, but that's football."

"To everybody, I thank you with all of my heart," Eto'o said to his former fans.