With a 3-0 victory over Elche on Saturday afternoon at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the La Liga season. The Blaugrana will remain atop the standings for at least 24 hours.

Barça were far superior throughout the 90 minutes against an Elche side that played the final 75 minutes with ten men due to an early red card, and the home team scored three goals to win their fifth consecutive league game.

Elche started the game with their best attackers on the bench and had a very defensive 5-4-1 shape intended to stop Barça’s attack. The strategy was successful until the 14th minute when Gonzalo Verd took down Robert Lewandowski as he was racing through on goal. Elche was reduced to 10 men when Verd was sent for blocking a clear chance to score.

After the dismissal, the visitors’ only concern was staying alive as Barça launched a barrage of continuous attacks, crosses, and shoots to break Elche’s defence. It took some time and several good opportunities. Still, the goals eventually materialised: the first was a tap-in for Lewandowski off a brilliant pass from Pedri and an assist from Alejandro Balde, and the second came off another assist from Balde to find Memphis Depay, who fired a rocket into the net off the crossbar to make it 2-0.

Lewandowski added his second goal of the afternoon and Barça’s third goal of the game on the rebound of an Elche defensive error in clearing an Ousmane Dembélé pass.

According to Xavi, Barcelona’s squad strength will serve them well this season as they aim to push for big titles.

“We now have a large team. Everyone is adapting and training well. Remember that this season is unusual; therefore, we need everyone to be at the top of their game. We must unite as a family, “Xavi told journalists

“The season has started off well for us. I’m very grateful. You can tell that everyone is always ready to play. Everyone has the potential to make a difference. Sixteen points out of 18 is an excellent start. I’m happy with it.”