Barcelona 2 Real Betis 0: Gerard Deulofeu forced an own-goal as Sergi Roberto scored moments later as they win without Neymar
Former Everton star lined up on the wing and played a key part in giving the hosts the lead at the Nou Camp
BARCELONA have not looked themselves without Neymar but Ernesto Valverde's injury-hit side bounced back to defeat Real Betis.
After being thrashed by Real Madrid in the Super Cup, Barca kicked off their league campaign with a comfortable victory.
Barca took the lead at the Nou Camp in the 36th minute after Gerard Deulofeu's effort was turned in by Alin Tosca.
The former Everton star started in Neymar's absence after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Sergi Roberto then doubled the host's lead three minutes later after he was teed up by Deulofeu.
Valverde was without Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique after they both picked up injuries against Real Madrid in the Super Cup.
Players had the word "Barcelona" instead of their names on the back of their shirts, and the Catalan hashtag "TOTSSOMBARCELONA" (We are all Barcelona) was on display around the Camp Nou stadium.
The message was also on display on the stadium's large screens, as well as on many banners carried by fans.
An emotional minute's silence was held before the game as the music of Catalan cellist Pau Casals played in the background.
Before the minute was up, the more than 55,000 fans at the stadium broke into a round of applause and began chanting "No tinc por" (I'm not afraid), a chant which has become a symbol of people's reaction to the attacks that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 120 in Barcelona.
Extra security was implemented in and around Camp Nou.
There was a minute's silence before every Spanish league match this weekend.
Barca scored two goals three minutes apart near the end of the first half an own-goal by Betis defender Alin Tosca and a close-range shot by Sergi Roberto.
Both goals came after plays started by Gerard Deulofeu, one of the players expected to try to replace Neymar after his world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi looked lively but wasn't able to score his 350th goal in La Liga. He came close, though, being denied by the woodwork three different times.