Barcelona talking points, in a summer clouded with doubts and uncertainty, the Barcelona players stayed focused and put in another strong performance, defeating a short-handed Stuttgart 3-0 in Germany.

That’s three decisive wins in three preseason games.

The team is playing with the type of energy and purpose you’d expect from a group of players with nothing guaranteed.

Returning players like Sergi Roberto and Gerard Piqué have competition and are looking to prove they’re still the best men for the job.

Barça B players like Yusuf Demir and Nico González are desperate to take advantage of the scarce minutes, and perhaps the only opportunity they’ll have to force their way onto the first team roster.

New signing Memphis Depay is breaking down the cynicism of Barça fans, and giving hope that this time the star summer signing will do whatever it takes to exceed expectations.

That type of competitive spirit is contagious, and if it continues Barcelona will be feeling confident and ready to take on a new season.

Here’s a few things we learned from the first game in the trip to Germany.

Memphis is motivated and getting off to a fast start

Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Memphis Depay is a man on a mission.

He’s wasted no time in proving to Ronald Koeman that he’s the man for the job in the final third.

In a way, he was was always going to have special privileges because of their relationship.

Perhaps exactly because of that perception, he’s set out to earn the opportunity beyond a shadow of a doubt on merit.