When the draw was made, two names jumped immediately into the spotlight. They had swapped teams over the summer and were then promptly drawn together in Group F; Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were never going to get an easy transition to their new surroundings.

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Indeed, the talk before the game had been of the reception that Zlatan would receive from the San Siro faithful. He had not exactly been complimentary about the Italian side upon his departure and had stirred up some interesting comments from his former team-mates. However, if there was anyone hoping for an Adebayor-style baiting, they were left disappointed.

The smiles and banter in the tunnel beforehand suggested that it would be easier night for Ibra’s ears, if not his legs, than many anticipated. And so it proved when he stepped on the pitch. His first touch was swiftly followed by a failure to reach Dani Alves’ cross, but he soon had a better chance - blazing over, when he really should have done better. The jeers were lost amid the celebrations that he had not scored.

Barcelona certainly started the brightest, while Ibrahimovic shone above his rival early on too. Showing all the technique and touch that made him such a star in Italy, the Swede seems a focal point for the runs of fast forwards like Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry; while his power and aerial ability make him the ideal central striker.

Ultimately, he may not prove to have the same devastating impact at the Nou Camp as Eto’o though. The Cameroonian showed that the Swede was not the only quality striker on the pitch with a sublime nutmeg on Gerard Pique, although was not able to capitalise on one of his few chances.

Looking a dangerous prospect with the ball at his feet when he got it, Eto’o suffered from a lack of support as the Inter midfield failed to get him enough of the ball. Ibrahimovic often made things happen one-on-one while at the club and, on this evidence, Eto’o may have to do the same.

Despite both strikers’ inability to break the deadlock, the noise level towards Ibrahimovic increased in the second half. The Swede put in a late tackle and then went to ground too easily under a challenge from Walter Samuel, much to the annoyance of the Italian fans; but once again he failed to silence them when he spurned a good chance when he lifted the ball over the ‘keeper and onto the roof of net.

Frustration growing, Inter (and Eto’o) made little impact after the half. But then Barcelona (and Ibrahimovic) could hardly find their shooting boots either. Neither forward-line appeared able to stay onside, while Jose Mourinho’s negativity meant that it was difficult for Inter to do anything but hold off their Spanish opponents.

In the end, so much hype at the clash of the two strikers meant that a 0-0 scoreline probably left fans from either side feeling that they had missed out.

Ibrahimovic has suffered from criticism that he cannot play at the highest level in the past and he was unable to shake that tag against his old side. But then Eto’o did not add much weight to the claims that he can be the man to transform Inter into Champions League contenders. Much work to do on both sides of the biggest swap deal in the game's history.