'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwb/2gAIAQEAAAAAiG//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAADv/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAB//xAAeEAACAQQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAURBhJBIf/aAAgBAQABPwBOM5GCRYkskmlB13Lr9GvaHEsnodMe4XwC4jr/xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBFH/2gAIAQIBAT8AddkxD//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAyH/2gAIAQMBAT8Ad6OT/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#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.
