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#3 A change in system brings about Barcelona's best performance in months
Barcelona generally play with a 4-3-3 formation, but Ronald Koeman has not been afraid to switch things up since his arrival.
The former Everton manager has used several variations, including a 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, but four defenders at the back have been a constant. However, against Real Valladolid, the 57-year-old deployed a five-man defence, with Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba acting as wing-backs.
It was a system that brought out the best of almost all 11 players on the field, as Barcelona gave what was arguably their most complete performance since their 4-0 victory over Villarreal in their first league game of the season.
Speaking after the game, Koeman said that Barcelona needed 'security', and that was why he decided to make the tactical change to five defenders.
It remains to be seen if he would stick to this formation moving ahead, especially at Camp Nou. However, considering his side's struggles away from home (they had won just one of their five away games prior to their win at Real Valladolid), the wing-back system might become more frequent at Barcelona.
#2 Pedri continues to impress at Barcelona
When Barcelona signed Pedri from Las Palmas last summer, not many expected him to be slotted straight into the first team.
Considering his relatively young age of 18, the general consensus was that he would be blooded in the Barcelona B team before being eased way up the ladder.
However, Koeman had other plans, and the former Las Palmas midfielder has played a key role for Barcelona this season, appearing in all 14 of their La Liga games.
Pedri was handed another start against Real Valladolid, and he once again shone like a million stars, dictating the tempo of the game with a confidence that belied his tender years.
Indeed, many draw comparisons between Pedri and Andres Iniesta. While it might be too early to compare him with the Barcelona legend, it cannot be argued that Pedri is one for the future.
In the absence of Ansu Fati, Pedri seems to have struck up a blossoming relationship with Lionel Messi, and it was a clever back-heel flick from the teenager that set his captain on his way to score the third goal of the night.
It was telling that the Barcelona number 10 sought Pedri out in celebration immediately after the goal, as Messi - having been the creator of such passes on numerous occasions- knew the ingenuity needed to create such moments of magic.
There has not been too much for Blaugrana fans to celebrate in what has been a bleak season, but the performance of Pedri so far has given hope that there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
#1 Lionel Messi writes his name into the record books yet again
When Lionel Messi headed Barcelona level against Valencia last week, it saw him equal a record set by the legendary Pele with Santos over five decades ago.
In the build-up to this game, Lionel Messi had told the press that he was happy at Barcelona. That reflected against Real Valladolid, as the player put up one of his best performances in months.
Lionel Messi played with a smile on his face that had been lost for weeks. He set Lenglet up with a brilliant cross for Barcelona's opening goal. The Blaugrana captain also combined brilliantly with Sergino Dest, whose cut-back allowed Braithwaite to score.
Lionel Messi also got the goal his performance deserved midway through the second half. The goal was scored with typical precision from the Rosario native, with his first touch setting him up in his stride while the second took the ball past the despairing dive of Jordi Masip.
His 644th goal for Barcelona made him the player with the most goals in history for a single club.
To put the achievement into perspective, for a player to break this Lionel Messi record, they would have to score at least 40 goals for 16 consecutive seasons at a single club.
