Liga: for its return to the Camp Nou, FC Barcelona takes a walk against Bilbao

This Saturday was a big day for FC Barcelona. After years of work, the new Camp Nou finally hosted a new Barça meeting, almost two years after the last match played in the famous Catalan stadium. A gala end to the afternoon that Hansi Flick’s men should not spoil on the pitch by winning a very important match in the standings against Bilbao. To achieve this, the German coach decided to field an offensive team with Fermín López, Olmo, Torres, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. Opposite, Ernesto Valverde intended to spoil the party of his former club and decided to field a competitive team with the presence of Nico Williams, close to joining the Blaugranas this summer. However, from the start, the Catalans showed a better face.

More incisive in the duels and having greater technical mastery in the midfield, the Culés did not take long before proving dangerous. And on their first opportunity, the Catalans found the fault. In the area, Robert Lewandowski eliminated his opponent with a large, subtle bridge before arming with the left. At fault, Unai Simon was surprised on his near post and did not have a firm enough hand to stop the Pole’s strike (1-0, 5th). Under the impetus of an incandescent Camp Nou, the Blaugranas continued to accelerate. With Fermín López in all the right moves and close to doubling the lead (20th), the locals thought they would score the break goal thanks to Ferran Torres but the Catalan striker was finally flagged in an offside position (25th). The former Manchester City man was finally rewarded for his incessant calls.

FC Barcelona had fun at their Camp Nou

Launched deep on a caviar from the outside of the foot of a fairly discreet Lamine Yamal, the Catalan number 7 did not tremble and took advantage of a new hand error from the catastrophic Unai Simon to put his Barça away just before the break (2-0, 45+2nd). Returning from the locker room, the Catalan club quickly secured its victory. Excellent since the start of the season and even more so in this meeting, Fermín López completed his great match by scoring his team’s third goal (3-0, 48th). A few minutes later, his dribbling knocked out Oihan Sancet who was guilty of a sweep on his compatriot (54th). Sent off, the Basque attacking midfielder was the symbol of his team’s difficulties this Saturday.

The last half hour of the match was peaceful for Barça. Faced with an offensively non-existent Bilbao like an apathetic Nico Williams this Saturday, FC Barcelona could have added to the bill on many occasions. But Lamine Yamal (84th, 88th), clearly gaining momentum in the match, or even Raphinha (81st), upon entering the game, came very close to joining the great Catalan party. Finally, the fourth goal of the match was scored by Ferran Torres (4-0, 90+1) after a superb number from Lamine Yamal and a superb pass for his number 7. Thus, FC Barcelona honored its return to the Camp Nou in the best possible way and this great success allows Barcelona to return to Real Madrid in the standings and take the lead in the standings. Bilbao stagnates in 8th place.