They’d last played there on May 28th 2023 before temporarily moving to the Estadi Olímpic so that a major redevelopment project could begin. That project continues, but Barça can play at the famous stadium while that work takes place and some 45,157 fans were in attendance on Saturday afternoon for a memorable game.
It was memorable not just because of the homecoming. The team put on a show for the supporters, winning 4-0 against a tough Athletic Club side. That was the perfect way for coach Hansi Flick to experience his first ever match coaching the team at the Spotify Camp Nou.
As the coach stated afterwards: “For everyone – players, staff, coaches – it was a special game, and also for the fans to be back here in this stadium was an unbelievable feeling. And we won three points, winning 4-0. It was not easy, especially in the first half against Athletic Club, but in the end everything went the right way. I am happy with the clean sheet, the four goals and three points. It was the perfect day for us.”
Making the weekend even better for Barça was the fact that Real Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw at Elche CF on Sunday night. As such, the distance to Los Blancos at the top of the LALIGA EA SPORTS table is now just one point.
Lewandowski scores the first goal
Following on from his hat-trick against RC Celta just before the international break, Robert Lewandowski scored the first official goal at the Spotify Camp Nou in over two years, just four minutes into this game.
Ferran Torres scored two more goals for Barça, both of them courtesy of brilliant assists from Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old superstar was making just his second ever appearance at the stadium, having played at the Spotify Camp Nou on his debut against Real Betis in 2023 but never again until Saturday afternoon.
And, Fermín López scored the team’s other goal on Saturday, marking what was his first appearance at the venue. It was his 100th appearance for the club, but his first at their historic home given that he made his jump to the first team in the summer of 2023.
A very Catalan affair
This game in the centre of the Catalan capital was a particularly Catalan affair. There were nine Catalan players who featured for Barça throughout the game, and seven of them started.
The nine were Joan Garcia, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Alejandro Balde, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, and club records say that this was the first time so many Catalan players featured in the same match for FC Barcelona since 1937.
There were also 11 La Masia players who participated across the 90 minutes. These were the eight outfielders listed above, plus Fermín López, Ronald Araújo and Dro Fernandez. For a club which is so proud of their academy, this was a special feat on a special day. The perfect return home.