Zlatan Ibrahimovich scores on debut for Barcelona

Ibrahimovic scores on debut for barca as defending champs begin la liga in style

Ibrahimovic scores on debut for barca as defending champs begin la liga in style

Barcelona began their quest for a second successive league title under Pep Guardiola with a routine win over Sporting Gijon in the first round of Primera Liga action at the Nou Camp.

High Flier! Barcelona's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads to score his first goal for the Catalans during their Spanish League match against Sporting Gijon. pic/AFP

First-half goals from Bojan Krkic and Seydou Keita set an under-strength Catalan side on their way and summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed his first for the club late on as Barca strolled to a comfortable victory.

Pedro was rewarded for his winning goal in the UEFA Super Cup win over Shakhtar Donetsk last week with a place in the starting XI, replacing Lionel Messi who is on international duty with Argentina.

New look Barca
Keita, Bojan and Maxwell all started in a new-look Barcelona side, as Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure were left on the bench and Rafa Marquez and Andres Iniesta on their way back from injury watched on from the stands, along with new signing Dmitro Chygrynsky.

Barca dominated the tie and Ibrahimovic showed some neat touches early on.

Sporting came into this game with five players missing through injury and coach Manuel Preciado opted to field all five summer signings from the start.

On 17 minutes, Barca were ahead. Keita cleverly flicked on Xavi's corner with his head and Bojan was applied the finishing touch with a diving header at the back post.

Late in the first half, Bojan went on a mesmerising run that ended in a corner off which Barcelona went two up.

This time it was taken short to Dani Alves, who crossed for Keita, who crashed an unstoppable header past Juan Pablo to give Barca a two-goal lead at the break.

82nd minute
Ibrahimovic had his goal eight minutes from time when he was left all alone to finish with ease at the back post after Sporting once again failed to deal with a Barca corner.