Barcelona ratings v Real Sociedad: Depay and Braithwaite star as fans chant for Messi

Barca secure 4-2 victory as fans are supporters back to Camp Nou

BARCELONA RATINGS: Neto - 6: Stand in goalkeeper, the experienced Brazilian had little to do before a 65th minute stop from Merino. Plenty of time to sample the surprisingly loud atmosphere from a restricted 20,384 crowd, then it all came alive as the Basques hit two in three minutes in a nervy finish.

Sergino Dest - 7: Kept his place ahead of the returned Emerson. Untroubled and less attacking than normal. Won his tackles. Came off after 70 minutes to an ovation.

Gerard Pique - 8: Headed the opening goal of the season after 19 minutes, kissed the badge, soaked up the applause as fans sang his name all night. His manager called him the leader of the team – and said he was last season too.

Eric Garcia - 7: Debut for the former academy graduate who returned home via Manchester City. Comfortable. Came off after his side conceded the first on 82. Both Barca’s central defenders are Catalans who made their professional debuts in Manchester.

Jordi Alba - 8: Lovely cross for Griezmann to volley at goal in one of the moments of the first half. Clean through – yes, really - after 49 minutes but swept the ball wide. Set up the third after 58, working well with Depay.

Sergio Busquets - 7: Captain in a side with a well-defined 4-3-3 – it wasn’t always last season. Booked pulling back an attacker who would probably have got away from the 33-year-old.

Antoine Griezmann - 8: Headed against the crossbar in a lively start. It was his 100th Barca game. The hope is that he starts to shine now he’s not in Messi’s shadow. Put ball in the net after 46 but de Jong was offside. Involved in the fourth.

Pedri - 7: The Olympic silver medallist never stopped playing, never stopped running. Covered more ground than any other on the pitch. Blasted a shot over after 73.

Memphis Depay - 9: Full of tricks and energy in a lively start. Curled the free-kick beautifully towards the head of Pique which gave Barca the lead. He was only allowed to be registered as a Barca player because of a pay cut by Pique. Over-elaborate at other times, but fun to see him try and lob the goalkeeper…from 40 yards. Super debut.

Martin Braithwaite - 9: Linked with a move away but helped his case no end. Active in attack, but also defence. Looked very confident Usually out wide, allowing Griezmann more space. Came central to score the second just before half time. Then he smashed the third in after 58 and set up the fourth with a powerful run and cross.

Frenkie de Jong - 7: Nicked the ball and crossed for the second. The Dutchman has become one of Barca’s most important players. Another confident in attack,

SUBS: Sergi Roberto - 7: On for De Jong on 70. Minutes for a versatile and effective product of Barca’s youth system. There are not enough in the current set up. Right place at the right time to finish the fourth from close range and make it 4-2.

Emerson - 6: On for Dest after 70. Back from a season at Betis. It didn’t go well. Caught short as he tried to cut out a pass which led to the La Real goal.

Ronald Araujo - NA: On for Eric Garcia after 83.

Nico Gonzalez - NA: The 19-year-old came on for Busquets after 83. Booked after a minute for a late challenge.

Clement Lenglet - NA: On for Depay in time added on as Ronald Koeman tried to run the clock down with his side faltering.

Barcelona made a winning start following the departure of talisman Lionel Messi with a 4-2 La Liga win against Real Sociedad.

Fans were welcomed back to Camp Nou for the first time in 526 days, although it was the first time without the brilliant Argentine for 17 years, and many of the 20,000 supporters chanted his name and protested against the club for letting him go.

However, it was another stalwart who opened the scoring with Gerard Pique heading the ball into the back of the net for his 50th goal for Barcelona, before Martin Braithwaite struck twice either side of half-time.

Julen Lobete pulled one back for the visitors in the 82nd minute before Mikel Oyarzabal struck three minutes later to set up a close finish.

But in injury time, Sergi Roberto restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage and the game finished 4-2.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.