Barcelona Makes Triumphant Return to Camp Nou with 4-0 Victory
Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, expressed his delight at returning to Camp Nou after a significant absence due to the stadium’s expansion. The Spanish champions celebrated a spectacular 4-0 win against Athletic Club on Saturday.
Robert Lewandowski marked the milestone of scoring the first goal in the newly refurbished stadium, which is still under construction. He was joined on the score sheet by Ferran Torres, who netted two goals, and Fermín López, ensuring Barça temporarily moved ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga standings on goal difference.
This match was particularly significant as it marked Barcelona’s first game at Camp Nou since the venue closed for renovations in May 2023, following over two years of matches played at the Olympic Stadium. Flick stated, “For everyone—players, staff, coaches—it was a special game; for the fans to be back here was an unbelievable feeling.”
He continued, “We won three points with a clean sheet and four goals. It wasn’t easy, especially in the first half against Athletic, but everything went our way in the end.”
The attendance for the match was capped at 45,157, as parts of the stadium, including the third tier, are still being completed. Barcelona hopes to secure permission to increase the crowd capacity to over 60,000 in early 2024, with a long-term goal of reaching 105,000, the largest in Europe.
For many players, including goalscorer Fermín, goalkeeper Joan García, and defender Pau Cubarsí, it was their first experience playing at Camp Nou, as well as being the first time Flick coached the team at this historic venue.
Lewandowski, who netted his eighth goal of the league season, reflected on the significance of the day, stating, “Today was special, not just for me but for everyone. I’m proud to have scored the first goal upon our return to Camp Nou.”
Though Barça managed well at the Olympic Stadium, with a league title secured during their stay, the atmosphere was less than ideal due to the venue’s layout. Lewandowski noted that the experience of playing at Camp Nou holds a unique value and emphasized the pride in the team’s performance.
Flick also praised Lewandowski’s impact, stating, “When he has a chance, he typically scores. It was crucial for us to score early as it boosts confidence.” He acknowledged Lewandowski as potentially the best striker over the past decade, emphasizing that age does not diminish the player’s enthusiasm for scoring.
In further positive news for Barcelona, Raphinha returned from a two-month injury layoff as a late substitute, and García’s clean sheet marked the first for the club since September, coinciding with his own return from injury.
Next, Barcelona will focus on their Champions League fixture against Chelsea on Tuesday. Frenkie de Jong will be back from suspension for that match, while Pedri is hopeful to recover from his hamstring injury in time to participate.
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