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#3 Barcelona's defence has a lucky reprieve against Osasuna
With Samuel Umtiti, Ronald Araujo and Gerard Pique being big absentees, the grimace on Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman's face was telling when he saw Clement Lenglet crumple to the turf.
The Frenchman is looking at a concerted spell on the sidelines, and with Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets likely to deputise in Lenglet's absence, Koeman certainly has his work cut out.
Oscar Mingueza, in only his second La Liga game, turned in an assured performance at the back, which ought to calm some frayed Blaugrana nerves. However, Barcelona beleaguered defence is a big worry for the manager despite managing a clean sheet against Osasuna.
#2 Antoine Griezmann puts in one of his best performances in a Barcelona shirt
Even before Antoine Griezmann's volley whistled past a stunned Sergio Herrera in the Osasuna goal, the Frenchman looked much like the player Barcelona paid an arm and a leg for last summer. With Martin Brathwaite serving as the focal point, Griezmann flourished in his favoured role.
The Frenchman linked up beautifully with Messi and made some brilliantly disguised runs that Osasuna were simply unable to deal with. His interplay was also a sight to behold, bringing back memories of his best performances for Atletico Madrid and France.
With a future that may be Messi-less, perhaps it's time for Barcelona fans to back their next best option, as Griezmann reminded everyone of the quality that he brings to the table, no less his manager, Koeman.
#1 Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has the perfect week
There were plenty of raised eyebrows as Ronald Koeman named a second-string lineup in the midweek UEFA Champions League fixture, but the move paid off. Barcelona won their game against Dynamo Kyiv with ease, and their stars were fresh to resume their assault on La Liga.
Against Osasuna, Barcelona had a lineup that looked more totaalvoetbal than regular football, which surprised many. Koeman played an incredibly attacking XI despite having a rejigged backline that one would've thought needed protection.
However, the gamble paid off, as Barcelona's attacking impetus was such that their defence was only rarely called into action.
There's a blueprint for the way Koeman would like his Barcelona side to play. If he can marry all of Barcelona's attacking wealth into a beautiful symphony that was against Osasuna, there's potential for silverware.
