Barça begin the post-Messi era in the best possible way

Football, as they say, is a funny old game. The first 'Gamper' of the post-Messi era was played against the same opponent as Messi's breakthrough performance some 16 years ago. This is no longer the Juventus of Fabio Capello, who tried time and time again to take Leo to Turin. Rather, it is the Juventus of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been Leo's main challenger for the title of 'best player on the planet' for many, many years. However, for Barça fans, there has only ever been one winner in that particular contest.

Memphis didn't take long to stake his claim as the new fan's favourite, opening the scoring with his first opportunity after just three minutes. Braithwaite claimed the second goal of the game with a header from a corner, before Riqui Puig put the icing on the cake with an excellent left-footed finish from the edge of the box. The Joan Gamper Trophy is staying in Camp Nou, where it belongs.

Blistering start

Despite the loss of Leo Messi, Barça's players need to continue to defend the club's badge in every game they play. This was precisely the attitude on show in tonight's encounter at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, with Barça getting off the mark after just three minutes. A perfectly weighted ball from Demir - who seems likely to spend this season with the first team squad - was finished off with a convincing left-footed finish by new signing Memphis, firing past ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny.

The three thousand fans in attendance showed their appreciation for the outgoing '10' before the game and supported his now ex-team mates throughout the fixture. They helped to push Koeman's side on during the encounter, who played with dynamism and attacking verve. A series of impressive one-twos, fast combinations and attacking moves will make the fans wonder whether all is not lost after all.

Right back Sergiño Dest almost got his name on the scoresheet with a shot that whistled just wide of the post early in the game, before Memphis missed an opportunity by firing over the bar. Despite Barça's superiority in the early stages, Juventus almost found their way back into the game with an effort by Cristiano Ronaldo, which was well stopped by Neto.

Griezmann claimed the ball in one free kick in classic 'Messi territory', firing wide of the post. Later, Yusuf Demir finished off a lovely attacking move but the goal was chalked off for offside by the linesman. Minutes later, Barça had another goal ruled out for offside. On this occasion, however, the decision was incorrect. Antoine Griezmann finished well into the vacant Juventus net after receiving the ball from Braitwaite, who was wrongly deemed to be in an offside position by the match official.

Neto named Player of the Match

Goalkeeper Neto put in a convincing display, being called into action at the end of the first half in order to maintain Barça's superiority at the interval. He made an excellent double save from De Ligt and Morata respectively, before pushing a long-distance Cristiano Ronaldo free kick around the post.

Braithwaite also got on the scoresheet

Barça doubled their lead as Danish striker Martin Braithwaite headed home from a perfectly weighted Memphis Depay corner. In a well-worked set piece routine, Araujo and Pique had blocked off Juve markers, giving Braithwaite a free run at the incoming ball. He finished well with a powerful header, putting the Catalans 2-0 up on the night.

Riqui got in on the act

With the game already done and dusted, young midfielder Riqui Puig put the icing on the cake with a powerful left-footed finish from the edge of the box. Despite Messi leaving, all is not lost for FC Barcelona.