Inter Milan strolled to a comfortable 2-0 Serie A victory over Parma at the San Siro.
Inter face the European champions at the San Siro in Group F, with the game given extra spice by the big-money swap deal between the clubs this summer involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o.
Ibrahimovic increased the heat further ahead of his return to Italy by appearing to take credit for turning around Inter's fortunes, much to the ire of some of his former team-mates.
The Catalans will know all about the damage Eto'o can inflict and, after Parma had frustrated Inter for 70 minutes today, the Cameroon striker curled in a beauty from 20 yards.
Diego Milito then made sure of the points with a second a minute from time.
Inter signed off before the international break with a 4-0 thumping of city rivals AC Milan and they were swiftly on the attack at the San Siro.
After 11 minutes, Eto'o's deflected cross from the left fell to Wesley Sneijder, who had recovered from an ankle knock to take his place in the XI, and his half-volley brought a good save out of Antonio Mirante.
Thiago Motta could do no more than hit the Parma wall from a free-kick midway through the half and Davide Santon's long-range effort from the rebound was well off target.
Inter captain Javier Zanetti was the next to try his luck, firing in a powerful effort that was kept out by Mirante.
The visitors threatened for the first time in the 38th minute but Stefano Morrone's fizzing strike was straight at Julio Cesar.
Inter came close again just before the break when Lucio got on the end of a Sneijder corner but his header flew just the wrong side of the post.
There was no doubt who was the busier keeper and Mirante was called upon again at the start of the second half, blocking Milito's shot before Mario Balotelli fired the rebound over the bar from close range.
Sneijder's low strike also drew a save from Mirante before a rare Parma counter-attack resulted in Jonathan Ludovic Biabiany missing the target from a tight angle.
The Nerazzurri finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute thanks to a bit of magic from Eto'o, who picked up the ball from Balotelli on the edge of the area before turning his marker and curling a delightful shot into the top corner.
It was all Inter by now and any further goals seemed certain to come at the Parma end.
Balotelli tried his luck twice in quick succession but Mirante was up to the challenge again.
However, he was beaten for a second time in the 89th minute, Balotelli this time the creator as he set up Milito, who finished coolly beyond the reach of the overworked Parma keeper.
The three points lifted Inter to within two of Serie A leaders Juventus while for Parma it was a first defeat of the season.
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