'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona began life without Lionel Messi with aplomb, comfortably defeating Real Sociedad by a 4-2 margin to kickstart their La Liga campaign. Martin Braithwaite grabbed a brace with Sergi Roberto and Gerard Pique also finding the net for the hosts.
Barcelona began the game on the front foot and were rewarded for their dominance early on. Gerard Pique was on hand to divert a delicious free-kick from Memphis Depay into the net, opening the scoring in the 19th minute.
Sociedad struggled to impose themselves on the game and almost went afoul of Barcelona's swift counter-attacks as the half wore on. Braithwaite underlined the Blaugrana's dominance, heading home Frenkie de Jong's cross in first-half injury time to make it 2-0.
Trending
The visitors came out into the second half much improved, and fashioned a few chances. However, Braithwaite ended the game as a contest with a strike in the 59th minute, making it 3-0. The goal stemmed from Depay and Jordi Alba's superb link-up play.
With the game petering out and Barcelona taking their foot off the gas, Sociedad capitalized, with substitute Julen Lobete making it 3-1 in the 82nd minute. The cat was well and truly among the pigeons three minutes later when Mikel Oyarzabal made it 3-2 with a stunning free-kick right into the top corner.
Barcelona were awoken from their slumber, and as Sociedad pushed up, the hosts pounced. Braithwaite set up Sergi Roberto to make it 4-2 in injury time following a quick counter-attack to make sure of the points.
Here are five talking points from the game:
#1 Barcelona's post-Lionel Messi era goes from a funeral to a carnival
There was plenty of nervousness among the Barcelona fans ahead of this game, having lost their talisman Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain. However, what is often forgotten amidst the doom and gloom is that Barcelona still have a very talented squad that may flourish without the shadow of Messi looming over them.
The 22,000-strong crowd at the Camp Nou ensured Messi's name was chanted in tribute during the 10th minute. However, a similar attempt 10 minutes into the second half was met with whistles, jeers and chants of 'Barca! Barca!' taking centre-stage instead.
It will take some time for Barcelona to move on from Messi, but if the players who are still wearing the Blaugrana shirt turn in performances like this, the Argentine may soon become a distant memory.
The accounting disaster off the pitch is definitely a cause for concern, but what Barcelona have on the pitch is still a stellar product.
#2 Real Sociedad missed the presence of Alexander Isak
Imanol Aguacil looked concerned on the touchline right from the get-go and his agitation only grew as the game wore on. The cause was plain for all to see - without a proper presence up front, every pass Sociedad played forward was returned promptly, forcing them onto the backfoot.
The game may have progressed far more differently were Isak playing, as his strength and speed were sure to trouble the pair of Eric Garcia and Gerard Pique. Indeed, even when Jon Bautista, a far poorer version of Isak, came on, Sociedad looked a far more threatening team.
It almost worked, in a crazy three-minute spell in the last 10 minutes, but Sociedad had left it a little too late. However, there were still positives to take from the game and they can look forward to yet another promising season.
#3 Martin Braithwaite reminds Ronald Koeman of his quality
Ahead of the game, Ronald Koeman stunned a fair few fans by claiming he would still like to sign another forward. Despite having Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite at is disposal, the Dutchman is still in the market for a striker as he is rumored to not fancy his Danish charge.
Braithwaite, who is on low wages, provided the perfect riposte to those rumors in the media, turning in a superb performance that was capped off by a brace and an assist.
Indeed, the Dane was everywhere, tracking back with aplomb and running the channels as he dovetailed incredibly well with Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann.
Given that Barcelona are linked with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal, perhaps they would do well to hold on to their striker who has actually found the net in the recent past.
#4 Debutants shine with Gerard Pique getting the deserved credit
As was much publicized ahead of the game, Barcelona were able to register Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia thanks to Gerard Pique agreeing to a pay cut. The defender received plenty of cheers whenever he touched the ball, and it was poetic that he arose to score in the 19th minute, with Depay providing the assist.
Perhaps the best outcome for the watching Blaugrana fans was the stunning debut that Depay turned in. The first half was a masterclass in #9 football, with Depay producing inventive flicks and turns to oil some swift counter-attacks.
The Dutchman also had no issues hurrying back to win the ball and was instrumental in Barcelona's best moves of the game.
Eric Garcia was calmness personified as well and although there will be tougher opponents to face, he seems to be a great partner for Gerard Pique, having already become the preferred option over Clement Lenglet.
It may have been a long and complex road to get these players to play in La Liga, but the wait was worth it.
#5 Ronaldo Koeman seems to have come closer to his vision of Barcelona
Whisper it quietly, ever so quietly, but Lionel Messi's departure may be a blessing in disguise for Ronald Koeman. His departure frees up wages for a more balanced squad, and also allows the Dutchman to blood in youngsters with far more ease.
Messi's albatross-like shadow will not loom whenever a youngster wants to pick a pass and there will be far more variation in play.
That was the case today, as Barcelona were supremely quick in their transitional play, with the freedom to be far more direct. It's a problem for sides who are already fearful of Barca's possession-based style, with Koeman now having the personnel to excel in counter-attacking situations as well.
The attacking depth that Barca possess, coupled with the raft of youngsters being blooded by Koeman, points to a club that may be doing the right things on the pitch, if not off it.
