3 aspects of the new Barça that fans can be excited about

This is a new Barça. They no longer have the best player in the world, but they have new players and strategies to implement. Through a series of tactical tweaks, Ronald Koeman and his backroom staff are setting the side up in a way which seeks to make up for the Messi-shaped hole at the top of the pitch. While it's only the first win of the season, they played well and the fans - finally back in the stadium - responded in kind.

1 Circulating the ball and a high press

Barça fans are sybarites, but they also appreciate a good attitude on the pitch. This is how Carles Puyol, who was not the most technically-gifted player, secured the love of the crowd. This Barça side press high and move the ball quickly, with De Jong and Pedri being key to this. However, the whole team works in unison to carry out the instructions given from the dressing room. With 476 passes and 47 recoveries in the first LaLiga match, things bode well for the rest of the season when the players start to reach peak fitness.

Barça came flying out of the blocks, with their dynamism and combativeness proving a problem for their opposition and a blessing for their supporters. With an attitude like the one displayed in yesterday's fixture, it was impossible to leave the ground feeling disappointed or angry with the side.

2 New ways of reaching the opposition's goal

Barça have relied heavily on Leo Messi in recent years, perhaps to too great an extent. This has been somewhat understandable, given the Argentine's status as the best player in the world, but other aspects such as tactics or strategies have sometimes been overlooked. The fact that Barça scored from a corner kick routine in last week's 'Gamper', with various 'screens' to block defensive runs by the Juventus players, was a first good sign. The fact that they scored from another set-piece routine, this time from a free kick, in last night's game against Real Sociedad, was confirmation that the side have been working on new ways of finding the back of the net.

Memphis has been key to these new set piece routines. Against Juventus, he picked out Braithwaite's run to perfection from a corner. Against Real Sociedad, he offered another showcase of his excellent set piece deliveries, picking out Piqué for the opening goal. Last season, it took Barça months to score from a set piece routine. Something has changed. Alfred Schreuder's tactics are finally bearing their fruits.

Barça have also shown signs of scoring more headed goals. In the first half against La Real, Barça scored two goals from headed finishes, from Piqué and Braithwaite respectively. The latter had already scored with his head in last week's friendly against Juventus. Griezmann also his the crossbar with a header in last night's fixture. Sometimes in football, your head isn't just for thinking.

3 Memphis and Piqué, the new idols

Memphis has just arrived, but his ambition and quality have already turned him into a fan favourite. Gerard Piqué, meanwhile, has played for Barça for years, but has never been so adored by his fans. Depay and Piqué, with the latter agreeing to a wage cut that has allowed the club to register their new signings, are the new Camp Nou idols. It's great that the fans continue to cheer Messi's name, but it's even better to hear them cheer their second captain or respond positively to Memphis's shots, skills and passes.

Pedri is also adored by the Camp Nou faithful. The fans recognise the enormous effort that he is currently making, having practically no time off this summer. He is the leader of a new group of young players who have a promising future at Camp Nou. If Koeman gives them opportunities in official matches, like he has already done with Nico, he won't regret it.