Barcelona defeats Athletic Bilbao 4-0 to honor Camp Nou’s homecoming
Ferran Torres scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on Saturday to mark their eagerly anticipated return to Camp Nou Stadium.
On 31 points, Barca moved up to the top of the La Liga standings, tied with Real Madrid, who play Elche on Sunday.
The stadium was partially refurbished after two and a half years of renovations, and this was Barcelona’s first game at Camp Nou in 909 days.
The ground’s current capacity of 45,401 seats is much less than the projected 105,000 seats that will be available when the project is finished.
In an emotional homecoming, the home team put on a dominant display for the audience, producing a boisterous environment that culminated in fireworks after the final whistle.
Early on, Robert Lewandowski set the tone by taking advantage of a mistake in Athletic’s defense in the fourth minute. While trying to play out from the back, Alex Berenger fumbled the ball, giving the Polish striker the opportunity to take possession and put a low effort past Unai Simon at the near post.
BARCELONA IN PLACE
Barcelona kept things under constant pressure on an Athletic team that was struggling. Since September, Ernesto Valverde’s team has only earned three victories and has dropped six of their previous nine league games.
Athletic barely posed a threat to the hosts, finishing eighth in the standings with 17 points.
Stoppage time in the first half saw Barcelona score another goal. Torres was given a long ball by Lamine Yamal that was wonderfully played into space. The Spanish forward collected the pass with ease, sprinted into the box, and calmly tapped past Simon.
Barcelona punished Athletic with yet another defensive blunder three minutes into the second half. The visitors tried to play out from the back, giving possession to Fermin Lopez, who was vigilant and fired a bullet into the net.
Oihan Sancet’s reckless challenge on Lopez in the 53rd minute resulted in a straight red card, which infuriated Athletic.
In the last moments, Torres scored his second goal, completing another counterattack that Yamal, 18, had set up with a second brilliant pass.
Lewandowski told DAZN, “Returning to the Camp Nou is a special day.”
“We are quite content and joyful. for bringing a victory back. Our performance was excellent. Each half consists of two goals. To be honest, when we play here, things are different. Our confidence grows.
“I’m 37 years old, yet playing here once again was equally significant to me. It’s even better to score.
