Barcelona returned to the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday with an impressive performance, decisively beating Athletic Club 4-0. Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres—who found the net twice—and Fermin Lopez were the catalysts for a victory that temporarily catapults the Catalans back to the top of La Liga.
Head coach Hansi Flick shared his thoughts after the match, expressing his satisfaction with his team’s display. “Of course I’m happy. Everything went well. We controlled the game and scored at the right moments. We knew they would press high and were organized in defending our ball exit. We had chances for even more goals, but we must respect Athletic; they’re a formidable team. Today, however, everything just clicked for us.”
Flick, managing his first game at the Camp Nou, acknowledged its significance: “It was a special match for everyone—coaches, players, and fans alike. The atmosphere was incredible. It wasn’t straightforward, but we achieved a clean sheet and netted four goals. Three points in the bag—everything was perfect.”
Among the standout performances was Eric Garcia, who shined in midfield despite the absence of key players like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. Flick praised Garcia’s adaptability: “For a coach, it’s fantastic to have a player like him. We trained throughout the week with him in that position, along with Gerard. After Araujo’s long trip, I was confident Eric could step up there. I’m very pleased with the level he’s showing.”
Flick also provided an update on Alejandro Balde, who left the pitch at halftime due to a head injury. “He’s fine. We had to make a decision at the half because he took a blow to the head,” Flick stated, reassuring supporters about the young defender’s condition.
