Barcelona demolish Athletic Bilbao in stylish return to revamped Camp Nou
Barcelona celebrated their comeback to the renovated Camp Nou stadium on Saturday after over two years away by securing a convincing 4-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao, which lifted them to share the La Liga summit.
The Catalan club had anticipated reopening the venue a year earlier, yet building holdups and further issues prolonged their absence from the iconic ground.
Ferran Torres claimed two goals following an opener from Robert Lewandowski, with Fermin Lopez also finding the net in an easy triumph over Athletic, whose Oihan Sancet received a red card during the latter stages.
Under Hansi Flick, the team matched Real Madrid's points at the league's peak, with the Madrid side set to face Elche the next day.
Pyrotechnics lit up the sky before and following the match as around 45,000 supporters occupied the available stands.
Even with steep ticket costs, attendance neared capacity. The club aims to unlock additional sections by 2026 and reach the complete 105,000 seats in the forthcoming campaign.
Flick included Joan Garcia in the lineup after the keeper's nine-match absence due to injury, contributing to Barcelona's initial shutout since September.
Supporters endured a longer hiatus than expected before reclaiming their spot at Camp Nou, but joy erupted swiftly with the hosts' inaugural strike in the upgraded arena.
Seasoned forward Lewandowski, donning the skipper's band, struck first in the fourth minute.
Eric Garcia, deployed in central midfield instead of the banned Frenkie de Jong, regained possession in an advanced area, allowing Lewandowski to drill a fierce effort past Unai Simon near the post.
The Basque shotstopper touched the ball yet failed to divert it, enabling the Pole to register his eighth top-flight strike amid a campaign disrupted by fitness troubles.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi surprised with a recent tour of the updated facility, prompting chants for him in the 10th minute as the crowd honoured the club's storied history while embracing fresh beginnings.
The audience also voiced disapproval towards Nico Williams for opting against a move to the club, jeering the Spanish winger whenever he touched the ball.
Fermin Lopez nearly extended the lead but saw his attempt repelled by Simon, while Dani Olmo missed just beyond the upright.
Athletic, led by ex-Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, posed challenges sporadically in the opening period without posing significant threats.
Torres bags a pair
Unai Gomez soared an effort over the bar and Williams bent his shot astray before Barcelona extended their advantage right before the interval.
Lamine Yamal delivered a clever outside-foot pass to send Torres clear, where the forward outwitted Simon once more, the keeper perhaps guilty of a soft parry.
The Spanish powerhouses added to their tally soon after the restart as Eric Garcia pressed effectively in opposition territory and supplied Lopez for a composed finish.
Athletic's woes deepened when Sancet felled Lopez in annoyance, earning his marching orders following a video assistant referee intervention.
Joan Garcia denied Dani Vivian's downward header during a reliable performance upon his return to goal.
Flick introduced Brazilian attacker Raphinha post injury in the second half, who nearly scored immediately with a curling attempt inches off target.
Barcelona sealed an ideal reintroduction at home as Yamal threaded another excellent ball for Torres, who calmly slotted in his brace, the ex-Manchester City player converting with precision.