Frenkie de Jong scored his first Barcelona goal, 16-year-old Ansu Fati netted again and substitute Luis Suarez struck twice as the Catalans thrashed Valencia 5-2 at Camp Nou on Saturday night.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde picked Arthur in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and De Jong, with youngster Fati in attack alongside La Masia graduate Carles Perez and Antoine Griezmann.
The Blaugrana had failed to beat Valencia in three meetings last season: two draws in La Liga and a defeat in the final of the Copa del Rey in May.
But the Mestalla-based side had sacked their coach Marcelino against the wishes of their players on Wednesday and Albert Celades, a former Barca player, was thrown in at the deep end for this one.
Ansu Fati, on his first start for Barcelona’s first team, opened the scoring after just two minutes when he hit a fierce shot past Jasper Cillessen from close to the penalty spot following a low cross from the right by De Jong.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid thrashed Levante 3-2, Atletico Madrid were stunned by Real Sociedad.
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