Barcelona Cruise in Season Opener: What We Learned

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol held the La Liga trophy aloft before the game to thunderous cheers from the home crowd. Barcelona then proceeded to display how they earned the trophy with a 3-0 drubbing of Sporting Gijon.

Barcelona came out in their customary 4-3-3 formation, with Puyol and Gerard Pique as central defenders, Daniel Alves at right back, and new signing Maxwell at left back.

The young Sergio Busquets got the start in midfield over Yaya Toure, and was joined by Seydou Keita on the left and maestro Xavi on the right.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the forward line from the center, flanked by youngsters Bojan Krkic to the left and Pedro to the right.

Here are some observations from the match:

The Young Guys Can Play

No FIFA World Player of the Year in waiting Lionel Messi? No Andres Iniesta or Thierry Henry?—No problem.

Barcelona have an incredibly deep team, and were able to start four players age 22 or younger in Pique, Busquets, Krkic, and Pedro.

All four played well, especially Bojan Krkic, who scored the opening goal and was lively throughout before injuring his knee and coming off at 80 minutes.

Busquets and Pique performed their duties admirably, and should be considered for the first team every week. Pedro came into his own later in the match, but should find it harder to get games once Messi returns.

Finding spots for everyone will not be easy, but it is a good kind of problem. A total of seven international veterans were absent from the starting lineup: Iniesta (Spain), Eric Abidal and Henry (France), Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast), Gabriel Milito, and Messi (Argentina).

Iniesta and Messi will surely be first-choice when available, but the others, including Henry who was resurgent last season, face a difficult competition for places.

Zlatan Still Adjusting

"Ibracadabra" was not at his best today, but will be happy to have scored with a late diving header.

He had some weak shots either at the 'keeper or well wide, and looked a bit off-rhythm. There were some crosses into the box that his height should have helped him get a head on, but he seemed a bit hesitant, and had the befuddled look of someone who comes late to the party.

Nonetheless, he opened his scoring account and played the full 90 minutes. He should be able to find his stride soon and learn to capitalize on the chances provided. Given the astonishing amount of talent around him, there will be many.

Continuing Where They Left Off

Barcelona's style of play is well known to their opponents: Fast-paced short passing with lots of movement off the ball and defenders surging forward to support the attack.

This was on display tonight, and it worked beautifully. They created many chances, and could have had more goals.

They clearly practiced their set-pieces, and on Keita's goal from a lovely Dani Alves cross, there were three Barca players in position to head it in, Keita simply being the one who connected.

Both Alves and Keita were spectacular on the night, the former with some pinpoint crossing, and the later with some selfless passing, well-timed runs, and a strong aerial presence.

Alves showed the same fire and aggressiveness in defending that he had last season, almost to a fault. He appears to have taken the "easiest to wind up" mantle from Wayne Rooney, and will have to make sure he remains in control of his emotions.

Overall, Barcelona showed no sign of slowing down. They will be disappointed to see both Maxwell and Krkic pick up injuries, but with a squad like theirs, they will be okay.

Their defense was not severely tested on the night, but their ability to score goals was fully evident. They remain the team to beat in all competitions.