Barcelona will need to have "a bad day" if Spartak Moscow are to get anything from Wednesday's Champions League fixture against the Spanish giants, ex-Spartak player and current executive director Valery Karpin suggested Wednesday.
Karpin scored against Barcelona in both of their group stage games the last time the two teams met in the Champions League in 1994.
"These people have two arms and two legs, they can have a bad day," he told Radio Marca, adding that Spartak should not be overawed by their more illustrious opponents.
"Fear doesn't lead you anywhere."
Spartak coach Unai Emery took charge when Karpin returned to directorial duties at the end of last season after coaching the team, and Karpin said he had full faith in Emery, pointing to his record of grinding out draws against Barcelona while at his previous club Valencia.
"Emery's had good results against Barcelona and he will know how to stop them," Karpin said.
Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by Spartak in Moscow in 1994 but demolished the then Russian champions 5-1 at the Camp Nou in the return fixture.