Barcelona Crushes Athletic Club 4-0 at Camp Nou in Return from Renovations

Barcelona returned to Camp Nou in spectacular fashion on Saturday, November 22, 2025, dismantling Athletic Club 4-0 in front of a roaring crowd that hadn’t seen the stadium this electric in over a year. The victory, sealed by a brace from Ferran Torres, wasn’t just about goals—it was about redemption, resilience, and the quiet brilliance of a team rediscovering its rhythm after months of renovation and rotation. This was more than Matchday 13 of LaLiga 2025/26. It was a homecoming.

A Homecoming Filled with Emotion and Precision

The Camp Nou renovation had been a slow, grinding process—no matches since March, fans waiting, players training elsewhere. But on this afternoon, the scent of fresh turf, the echo of new seating, and the roar of 99,000 voices made it feel like the old magic had never left. FC Barcelona hadn’t just returned to their stadium—they’d returned to dominance. Manager Hansi Flick made five changes from the Celta Vigo match, most notably bringing back Joan García in goal after a two-month knee injury. His first touch was a long clearance. His last? A clean sheet. The defense, anchored by the young pairing of Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín, looked composed, even ruthless.

The Lineups and Tactical Shifts

Flick’s 4-2-3-1 was a statement. Eric García played as the deeper pivot, freeing Fermin López to roam. Up front, Robert Lewandowski held up play like a rock, but the real magic happened behind him. Lamine Yamal darted in from the left, Dani Olmo pulled the strings, and Ferran Torres—back from a quiet start to the season—became the assassin.

Athletic Club, under Ernesto Valverde, stuck to their traditional 4-2-3-1, but the absence of Iñaki Williams was felt. His brother Nico Williams pushed forward alone on the left, while Unai Gómez looked isolated up top. Their midfield duo of Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar worked hard but couldn’t match Barcelona’s tempo.

The Goals: A Masterclass in Clinical Efficiency

The first goal came at 4’. A quick counter, Lewandowski flicked it on, Yamal cut inside, and Torres—unmarked—slotted it low past Unai Simón. No celebration. Just a nod. The message was clear: this wasn’t a fluke.

At 43’, it was 2-0. A corner. Cubarsí rose above everyone. The ball bounced off a defender’s shoulder, and Torres was there again—this time with a header. The crowd erupted. By halftime, Barcelona had 67% possession, 12 shots to Athletic’s 2, and 1.9 expected goals. The stats didn’t lie.

The second half was a surgical strike. At 48’, Olmo threaded a pass through three defenders. Torres, now playing like a man possessed, clipped it past Simón for his brace. At 54’, Alejandro Balde surged down the left, cut back, and found Fermin López at the edge of the box. One touch. One shot. 4-0.

Then came the red card. At 73’, Athletic’s Aymeric Laporte lunged into a tackle on Yamal—no ball, no hesitation. A straight red. The away end fell silent. By 74’, Barcelona had already taken six shots. The game was over. The atmosphere? Electric.

Aftermath: What This Win Means

This result lifts Barcelona to second in LaLiga 2025/26, just two points behind Real Madrid. More importantly, it signals a return to form. The defense, once shaky, now looks solid. The midfield, once disjointed, now flows. And Torres? He’s back. Not just as a finisher—but as a leader.

For Athletic Club, it’s a sobering day. Without Iñaki Williams, their attack lacks its spark. Their defense, once so resilient, looked slow and out of sync. Valverde’s side now sits just above the relegation zone, and the injuries are piling up—Unai Egiluz, Beñat Prados, Maroan Sannadi—all out. They’re running on fumes.

What’s Next?

Barcelona travel to Sevilla next weekend, where they’ll need to keep the momentum. Flick has hinted at resting Raphinha, who returned to the bench after his own two-month layoff. Meanwhile, Athletic Club faces a must-win against Real Sociedad—no room for error.

The Camp Nou renovation wasn’t just about seats and lighting. It was about restoring belief. On this day, Barcelona didn’t just play a match. They reminded everyone why they’re still the heartbeat of Spanish football.