After their shock 2-0 win on Sunday, Torres didn't hold back: "What's happened to Barcelona is the same that happened to Real Madrid three years ago. The big teams, after two or three years of success, have a downturn.

"Despite having the best squad in the world, no-one can stay at the top for seven or eight consecutive years."

Torres believes Barca also have taken too big a gamble with bringing in the likes of Gianluca Zambrotta, Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure from outside the Primera Liga.

"It always takes at least four years for those players signed from outside of Spain to show their best in this Liga," said Torres. "Barca have great players, but they're not working for eachother."