Lionel Messi (2) and Munir El-Haddadi scored the goals as Barcelona beat Elche 3-0 at the Camp Nou this evening.
Barca were reduced to 10 men late in the first half when Javier Mascherano was sent from the field, but two second-half goals for the Catalan outfit made sure of the points.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the La Liga affair.
BARCELONA
Goal
Claudio Bravo: Probably the most comfortable night of his career. Did not have a single shot to save and only a handful of crosses to deal with. Such a simple league debut. (6/10)
Defence
Dani Alves: Widely expected to leave the club this summer, but started in his normal right-back berth. Was better received by the crowd and certainly contributed to Barcelona's attacking thrust. (7/10)
Jeremy Mathieu: Very accomplished on his league debut. Questions were asked when the Frenchman was signed from Valencia, but he could quickly become a real crowd favourite at the Camp Nou. (7/10)
Javier Mascherano: Steady opening 42 minutes, but was rightly sent off late in the first period for a last-man challenge on pacey forward Garry Rodrigues. (6/10)
Jordi Alba: Like Alves on the opposite side, spent the majority of the match playing as a winger. Always involved down the left and always an attacking threat. (7/10)
Midfield
Ivan Rakitic: Brilliant on his league debut. Picked out El-Haddadi for Barcelona's second and demonstrated his passing ability throughout the contest. An all-round midfield performance. (8/10)
Sergio Busquets: It was his poor header that led to the Mascherano red card, but that was the only blot on another accomplished performance from the holding midfielder. (6/10)
Andres Iniesta: Majestic once more for the Catalan outfit. Unlucky not to score in the first period when he saw a rasping effort hit the crossbar. Radiated class each time he had possession of the ball. (8/10)
Attack
Rafinha: Unfortunate to depart at the interval as Luis Enrique was forced into a defensive change, but the former Celta Vigo loanee was bright and inventive in the first period. (6/10)
Lionel Messi: New season, but same old Messi. Scored a brilliant brace with two equally well-taken goals. Dropped deeper in the second period, but continued to worry the Elche defence. (8/10)
Munir El-Haddadi: Hit the crossbar with a powerful effort in the first half, but scored his first competitive goal with a brilliant flick in the second. A very impressive debut for the 18-year-old. (7/10)
Substitutes
Marc Bartra: Entered at the interval as head coach Enrique was forced to introduce a defender and the Spaniard slotted effortlessly into the back four. (7/10)
Pedro: Passed fit to feature from the bench after a stomach complaint and the Spaniard was bright and inventive as a second-half substitute, but should have scored from a one-on-one late on. (7/10)
Sergi Roberto: Only had little over 10 minutes to make an impression, but was neat and tidy on the ball. (6/10)
ELCHE
Goal
Przemyslaw Tyton: Hardly the ideal place for a goalkeeper to make their debut, but the tall stopper did make some smart saves. Could do nothing with any of Barcelona's three goals. (6/10)
Defence
Damian Suarez: Proved difficult to evade in the first period, but struggled to match Barcelona's movement in the early stages of the second period. Will be key for his side this season. (6/10)
David Lomban: Former Barcelona B defender had a decent evening against his former club. Made some smart challenges and was always willing to take control of the ball. (6/10)
Sergio Pelegrin: Used all his experience to help repel Barcelona in the first period, but just found Messi and El-Haddadi too hot to handle in the second half. (6/10)
Edu Albacar: Did his best to offer something going forward, but was always wary of the threat from Alves. A difficult evening for the 34-year-old. (6/10)
Midfield
Jose Angel: Not the first and certainly will not be the last to struggle to contain the Barcelona midfield. Failed to get close to Rakitic and Iniesta for long spells. (5/10)
Pedro Mosquera: Will be an asset for Elche this season, but like his teammates, struggled for possession in a match that was utterly dominated by the home side. (5/10)
Mario Pasalic: Received the game's only yellow card for a poor challenge on Alba in the second period, but put in a fairly solid midfield display for his new club. (6/10)
Attack
Jonathas: Another of the club's summer signings that did not really have the stage to impress. Worked extremely hard in a wide area, but saw very little of the ball. (6/10)
Coro: Will be expected to contribute goals this season, but had little opportunity to get off the mark this evening. A difficult night for the experienced Spaniard. (5/10)
Garry Rodrigues: Was the cause of Mascherano's red card after showing serious pace to move clear of the Argentine. Easily his side's most dangerous player on the night. (6/10)
Substitutes
Alvaro Gimenez: Entered early in the second period and did help stem the flow of attacks. Might have earned himself a starting spot for next week's clash against Granada. (6/10)
Faycal Fajr: Scored eight times for Caen last season and could play a key role for his new side. Had little chance to make an impact as a second-half substitute tonight, however. (6/10)
Adrian Gonzalez: Another that could prove a shrewd signing, but was given just 10 minutes this evening. (6/10)
Matt Law
