Cesc Fabregas hopes Barcelona's main critics - chiefly Jose Mourinho - are now able to 'shut up' in the immediate aftermath of their resounding win at Manchester City.
The Catalans brushed Manuel Pellegrini's team aside at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, and in doing so took a giant leap towards the Champions League quarter-finals.
It came a day after Chelsea boss Mourinho had labelled Gerardo Martino's current crop the worst Barca team for 'many, many years'.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Cesc Fabregas responding to Barca's critics
Button it! Cesc Fabregas said Barcelona's critics can 'shut up for a few days' after beating Man City
Not holding back: Jose Mourinho was scathing of Barca, claiming they were the worst for 'many, many years'
Easy does it: Lionel Messi scored the first of the away side's two goals at City from the penalty spot
BITING BACK
Cesc Fabregas was responding to comments made by Jose Mourinho - click here to read what the Chelsea boss had to say.
Those comments clearly riled Fabregas, who responded in emphatic fashion after the 2-0 first leg win.
'This team has done so much - won so much. Today was one of those days where everybody was saying "this isn't the same Barcelona". Some people were talking a bit too much as usual,' he said.
'They will have to shut up for a few days.'
A Lionel Messi penalty and late Dani Alves strike look to have taken the tie away from City, who travel to the Nou Camp in three weeks facing an uphill struggle to stay in the competition.
Talk in the build-up to the last-16 tie had been that Barca don't hold the sort of power over the rest of Europe as they did under Pep Guardiola.
Even though they are level on points at the top of La Liga with Real and Atletico Madrid, with a Copa Del Rey final looming in April, the criticism doesn't surprise Fabregas.
'Maybe we had to prove a point in a way. We did it, and did it very well,' he added.
Pressure? The Catalans have come in for heavy criticism under coach Gerardo Martino
Saw it coming: Fabregas didn't appear surprised verbal grenades were being thrown at Barca
Halfway there: Barca go into the return leg at the Nou Camp with a two-goal cushion
'We are top of the league, had a great result tonight (Tuesday) and we're in the final of the cup. There is nothing else you can ask for.
'The fans in Spain put so much pressure on you and that's what makes everyone feel so special to this team.
'We'll respect City until the end. You never know what can happen in football. In three weeks we'll have to fight very hard to get to the quarter-final.'
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