What a curious opening half that was. Fiorentina were well on top for 25 minutes, went behind to a well-worked Inter goal, and then seemed to lose heart. La Viola aren't going to qualify for the Champions League with that kind of attitude.

Wale ibraheem: Barca seems to be surprised that the ref was brave to award that penalty. It seems they're used to that situation.

John McEnerney: La Liga is Barcelona's to lose the same for the Champions League. Only Bayern Munich on their best night might do them. They'll do the treble again.

I think we can imagine what Luis Enrique said at the break. "Get back out there, pass the ball better and stick it in the net." Or words to that effect.

His instructions have been heeded though, as Barca fly out of the traps. Neymar almost scampers through the middle on to a loose ball, before popping up on the left moments later to tee up Luis Suarez. 

Suarez guides the ball towards the far corner....but the right-hand post saves Celta.

Fiorentina end the first half on top at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Matias Vecino gets his head to a corner, and Samir Handanovic pushes the ball over. 

Both coaches have had their say - now it is time for their players to put their words into action. Game on in the Nou Camp.

Inter seeking a second goal as we move into the last three minutes of the first half. Eder does a comedy fall on the edge of the penalty area with Fiorentina defender Davide Astori in close attendance, and fools precisely no one. Then goalscorer Marcelo Brozovic picks out Rodrigo Palacio in his own postcode at the far post 10 yards out. For some reason, Palacio tries to cushion a header back across goal - straight towards a clutch of home defenders. Opportunity lost.

Lionel Messi has more silverware than your local trophy engraving shop. But the Barcelona superstar's vast collection of prizes, for both personal and team performance, did not contain a single La Liga player of the month award - until Friday.

The prize has only been given out since the 2013-14 season, but five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi had not won any of the previous 22 awards. Even Carlos Vela had won it twice.

But Leo finally claimed the prize after scoring six goals in five La Liga games in January. And look how pleased he is. Like a kid winning his first player of the year award.

Image source, La Liga

There was a time when Cristian Tello was being linked with most of the clubs in the Premier League. While the Fiorentina winger has plenty of pace, he seems to struggle with distribution. After being played into a very decent position down the right by Josip Ilicic, Tello hammers a cross towards the opposite touchline. Nikola Kalinic, waiting in the centre, is the very picture of exasperation.

Fiorentina look shocked by the goal they have conceded. The zip has gone out of their play completely. Inter, by contrast, have settled, and are chasing a second goal. Eder has a shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected wide.

Stoppage time? Actually there isn't any. Referee Alejandro Hernandez must be gagging for a cup of tea - he's had enough after 45 minutes on the dot. Glum faces among the home players as they trudge off for a first-half debrief from manager Luis Enrique. The Barca supporters aren't too happy either, little noise from the stands as the players depart.

Celta have got to stop conceding free-kicks in dangerous positions. Another foul, another booking. Hugo Mallo is the latest to see yellow. Neymar tries to inflict further punishment, but can't take the heat out of his curling effort. Ticking towards stoppage time... 

There's a chance of sorts for Inter as Jeison Murillo fails to make a clean connection at a corner. But Fiorentina are having the better of it, and it's Federico Bernardeschi at the heart of things again. He darts on to Nikola Kalinic's pass and falls over the stumbling Miranda inside the area. Penalty? No. The referee rules that Bernardeschi pushed the Inter centre-back to the ground, and gives a free-kick to the visitors.

Oh hello! Jordi Alba, after that rush of blood to the head at the attacking end, has another one. And this time it is costly. He trips John Guidetti in his own box...the referee points to the spot. Had to be.

Celta have matched Barca in most areas, particularly in work-rate and application, but their efforts have been a little over-exuberant at times. Another strong challenge, again on Messi, gives Barca a promising free-kick just on the left edge of the penalty area.

A poor delivery from Neymar falls out to Jordi Alba, who slices one high over the Celta bar.

Marco van Basten has just smashed a sublime volley from the right side of the area at the Barca goal. Or was it Jeremy Goss? Oh, sorry, it was actually Claudio Beauvue. 

The Celta winger ambitiously belts John Guidetti's drilled cross-field ball first time, but it doesn't quite have the trajectory of Van Basten/Goss' stunners to beat Barca keeper Claudio Bravo.

Just under 15 minutes until the half-time break...