Barcelona mark rebuilt Camp Nou reopening with 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, moving joint top of La Liga with goals from Lewandowski, Torres and Lopez.
BARCELONA inaugurated their rebuilt Camp Nou stadium with a stylish 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The Spanish champions returned home after two and a half years in exile with a commanding performance that sent them joint top of La Liga.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the fourth minute with the first goal at the renovated stadium.
Ferran Torres netted a brace while Fermin Lopez also found the net in a comfortable win.
Athletic Bilbao’s misery was compounded when Oihan Sancet received a second-half red card after a VAR review.
Hansi Flick’s side pulled level with Real Madrid at the summit ahead of their rivals’ Sunday fixture at Elche.
“For everyone, the players, the staff, the coaches, it was a special game, and also for the fans to be back here in this stadium is unbelievable,” Flick told reporters.
“I’m happy with the clean sheet, the four goals and the three points — the perfect day for us.”
Fireworks illuminated the sky before and after the match as over 45,000 fans filled the three opened stands.
Despite exorbitant ticket prices, the match was virtually sold out with the club planning full 105,000 capacity by next season.
Lewandowski described scoring the historic first goal as something he would “remember forever.”
The veteran striker converted after Eric Garcia won possession high up the pitch.
Lionel Messi’s name echoed around the stadium in the 10th minute as fans honoured the club legend.
Torres doubled Barcelona’s lead just before halftime after a superb Lamine Yamal through ball.
Lopez added the third early in the second half following more effective pressing from Garcia.
Sancet’s dismissal for a frustrated foul on Lopez ended Athletic’s hopes of a comeback.
Barcelona completed the scoring when Yamal provided another exquisite pass for Torres to seal his double.
The victory marked Barcelona’s first clean sheet since September with goalkeeper Joan Garcia returning from injury.
Flick expressed satisfaction with the phased stadium reopening, stating “we have to wait, step by step” regarding future capacity increases. – AFP
