Barcelona Stars Shine in Magical Camp Nou Homecoming Against Athletic Club

Barcelona cruised to a commanding 4–0 victory over Athletic Club, marking their homecoming to Camp Nou in spectacular fashion.

In their inaugural match at the renovated Les Corts avenue football fortress, Hansi Flick's squad appeared invigorated from the opening moments, with Robert Lewandowski, donning the captain's armband for his debut as Barcelona skipper, etching his name as the first scorer at the refurbished Camp Nou.

Ferran Torres netted twice while Fermín López contributed another goal against an overwhelmed Athletic Club side, capping off a memorable afternoon. Raphinha made his comeback from injury as Barcelona drew level with Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga, with Los Blancos still to feature this weekend.

This dominant display should boost Barcelona's confidence before their upcoming journey to Stamford Bridge to meet Chelsea in Champions League action on Tuesday.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs. Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings courtesy of FotMob*

GK: Joan García—7.7: A serene comeback for García, who responded admirably when called upon. His sweeper-keeper capabilities bolstered Barça's high defensive line, a trait Wojciech Szczęsny couldn't provide during the previous month.

RB: Jules Koundé—7.6: Koundé neutralized Nico Williams effectively and established numerous intuitive partnerships with Yamal along the right side.

CB: Pau Cubarsí—7.6: A composed, assured and steady display from the youngster. Remained solid in his favored right center-back position.

CB: Gerard Martín—7.4: The promising defender appeared seasoned beyond his years in his maiden center-back start. Never found himself out of position and handled every threat with composure. Among the match's top performers.

LB: Alejandro Balde—7.0: Proved dangerous along the left flank and crucial in Barça's build-up play. A fitness concern forced his substitution at the interval.

DM: Eric García—6.9: With García anchoring the midfield, Barcelona felt no absence of Frenkie de Jong's influence. Another reliable, quality performance from the adaptable Spaniard.

CM: Dani Olmo—7.3: Frequently errant with passes and committed risky turnovers. Found it difficult to influence proceedings from a deeper position, consistently making questionable choices that hindered attacks, though managed basic tasks well enough to maintain decent statistical output.

AM: Fermín López—9.1: Another impressive showing from the Spaniard, whose relentless drive sparked Barça's offensive play. Central to most of his team's threatening advances into the attacking zone.

RW: Lamine Yamal—8.5: Barça's number 10 displayed his dazzling brilliance. Completed eight successful dribbles, delivered a spectacular assist and tormented Athletic's backline throughout.

LW: Ferran Torres—9.1: Maintained a threatening presence and earned his double strike. His combination play was notably crisper than usual, particularly when linking with Lewandowski and Yamal.

ST: Robert Lewandowski—8.1: A classic display from Barça's match captain. Appeared refreshed, agile and in prime condition, leading the press and providing an attacking focal point. Constantly eager to shoot, he opened the scoring at the renovated Camp Nou.

Unused substitutes: Diego Kochen (GK), Wojciech Szczęsny(GK), Roony Bardghji, Andreas Christensen.

Athletic Club (4-2-3-1):

Starting XI: Unai Simón; Andoni Gorosabel, Daniel Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Álex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Unai Gómez.

Substitutes used: Alejandro Rego, Gorka Guruzeta, Robert Navarro, Adama Boiro, Mikel Vesga.

Player of the Match: Ferran Torres

Barcelona 4–0 Athletic Club—Match Recap at Camp Nou

Flick took a calculated risk by deploying La Masia academy product Gerard Martín at center-back for his positional debut. His defensive positioning enabled the coach to advance Eric García into midfield to compensate for the unavailability of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona emerged explosively in the early stages, applying fierce pressure and circulating possession at lightning speed. Robert Lewandowski converted the energetic opening into the match's first goal, escaping his marker skillfully and unleashing a powerful left-footed low drive that Unai Simón couldn't contain.

The home side maintained their momentum and Ferran Torres believed he had extended the advantage after rounding Simón, but the strike was quickly ruled out for an offside infringement. Later, within the final five minutes of the period, Álex Berenger delivered a dangerous low delivery that Nico Williams fired narrowly past the upright.

Just before halftime, Lamine Yamal executed a magnificent trivela pass from the right to Torres making a run down the opposite wing. The Spanish forward continued his movement and fired a shot that, like the opener, Simón touched but couldn't prevent.

Barça's dominance continued after the restart. An excellent exchange saw García thread Fermín through on goal. The La Masía talent unleashed a fierce strike to register Barça's third within five minutes of the second period.

Athletic's ordeal intensified just five minutes afterward. Frustration overcame Oihan Sancet as he recklessly kicked Fermín in a moment of poor judgment, forcing referee José María Sánchez to brandish a red card following VAR consultation.

Barça settled into comfortable control and sealed the contest with extended spells of possession. In the closing moments, another brilliant piece of skill from Yamal released Torres for his second goal, providing the perfect finishing touch to Barcelona's masterpiece.

Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Halftime Stats

Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Full Time Stats