Barcelona vs Alaves: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

SCORE: (Messi 64', 92'; Coutinho 83') Barcelona 3-0 Alaves

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Barcelona took their time to get going in their opening fixture of LaLiga 2018/19 as Alaves stood firm till the hour mark, but it was LaLiga's tormentor in chief who put the Catalans ahead with a subtly taken free-kick. Philippe Coutinho scored a brilliant second before the Argentine doubled his tally to join Morales atop the Pichichi Standings.

Barcelona took their first step towards retaining the title they won so comprehensively last season, losing only their final fixture in 38 league games. Valverde will be pleased with the three points but will look to properly oil his highly-efficient Barcelona machine.

Here are the Talking Points from the game:

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#5 Dembele's most crucial season

Another disappointing show from the World Cup Winner.

The Frenchman had caught the world's imagination with some stellar performances in Germany with Borussia Dortmund before Barcelona swooped in with an offer none of the parties could refuse.

However, he has failed to hit the same heights ever since with mumblings in the press that the club is constantly looking to offload the player and cut his losses.

The manager showed his faith in the youngster and sided with him, handing him a start ahead of the other contenders but he failed to repay him with a good performance on the field. He will need to buck up if he wants to fight his way back from irrelevance and become a fixture in the manager's plans.

#3 Alaves held firm as Barcelona fail to find their rhythm in the first half

Alaves were up for the task in the first forty-five.

The Champions looked very much like a side who has been on vacation for the first half and then some in the second. Alaves held their shape and were compact in the middle, denying the little magician too much room in areas where he does the most damage.

Alaves were involved in a relegation dogfight for a considerable amount of time before a change in management helped them finish in 14th position in the Spanish top-flight and showed some of that resolve, making it look increasingly unlikely that BArcelona would find a way through.

#3 Valverde gives Malcolm a miss

Malcolm wasn't handed his LaLiga debut.

The most controversial transfer of the season was the one involving the Brazilian making a late switch to Barcelona when it looked for all the world that he would end up with Roma. He has since impressed for the side, scoring twice in the pre-season International Champions Cup.

With the lack of considerable activity this time around in the transfer window following a busy one last time around that saw Coutinho and Dembele come into the squad for hefty transfer fees, Malcolm is the only fresh face that the fans had to look forward to. And their wait is set to continue as the player didn't only not make the starting lineup, but also didn't make an appearance off the bench.

#2 Coutinho stakes his claim as the heir to Ronaldinho

Coutinho scored Barcelona's second.

For anyone who ever goes onto play for Barcelona, the reality of having to play in the same club as the one of the greatest in the game is hard to come to terms with. No more so when you're one of the most promising from the birthplace of Ronaldinho - Brazil.

Philippe Coutinho has steadily built his reputation as one of the most talented and effective playmakers in world football and it was no surprise to Barcelona pay the big bucks to bring him to Camp Nou. In the limited time he has had in Catalonia, Coutinho has showed his class and the potential to be one of the greats at the club.

On the night he cemented that argument with a peach of a goal - a rifled shot past the keeper after showing a clean pair of heels to get past a couple of defender, coming in from the left flank.

#1 Leo Messi scores two, should've had four

A touch of genius!

After a disappointing season with his nation in Russia, Messi would've been pleased to return to where he seems to be at his comfortable best. He showed his intent right from the off and went close from a narrow angle with his right foot.

He then stepped up to take a free-kick, which ricocheted off the crossbar. Inches. Barcelona were soon awarded another one and the Little Magician rolled the ball under the wall to open his scoring for the new campaign.

He almost made it two when he struck the wookwork again, following some lovely interplay. He wasn't to be denied a brace though. He took control of the ball forward by Suarez in the opposition penalty area - chesting the ball down to get past two defenders and a delightful touch to get past another - before slotting it into the bottom left corner to round off a man of the match performance.