Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has backed the European champions to see off Shakhtar Donetsk in the Super Cup tomorrow night.

A win would help erase the memory of their last trip to Monaco three years ago when Barca were hammered by then UEFA Cup holders Sevilla 3-0 on a sorry night for the Catalan giants.

This time, they appear in strong shape as they look to get the better of Shakhtar Donetsk.

Begiristain said: "I have a good feeling. The team looks good to me, with the tension necessary to avoid what happened to us three years ago.

"We must give Shakhtar a lot of respect. The team must continue being as humble as always. If you don't respect your opponents and the competition, then teams can destroy you."

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets claimed there would be no easing up from Barca even though they play Sporting Gijon in their Primera Division opener on Monday night.

He said: "The team has the maximum motivation. It's not always that you have the chance to win a title and we don't want to let the European Super Cup escape.

"Shakhtar will be a very difficult opponent, as they showed last year when they made things difficult for us both in Donetsk (Barca won 2-1 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi in the 87th and 94th minutes) and at the Nou Camp (Shakhtar won 3-2 against a second-string Barca).

"But the team is very good physically, with ambition and with the desire to win."

The odds are stacked against Shakhtar, who made it to Monte Carlo after winning the last-ever UEFA Cup with a final victory over Werder Bremen.

Goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov insists the Ukrainians will not be overawed by a Barca side which has lost Samuel Eto'o but added Zlatan Ibrahimovic over the summer.

He told the club's official website, www.shakhtar.com: "Barcelona is Barcelona. But I do not feel any fear. Their team is very similar to the one they had last season.

"I have dreamt of playing in matches like this.

"But we have a job to do, to win the trophy."