Barcelona return to Camp Nou after 2 years away

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Hansi Flick celebrated Barcelona‘s “perfect day” as the Spanish champions made their long-awaited return to Spotify Camp Nou with a thumping 4-0 victory against Athletic Club on Saturday.

Robert Lewandowksi scored the first goal at the refurbished stadium, which is still only half finished, with Ferran Torres netting twice and Fermín López also on target as Barça provisionally moved ahead of Real Madrid, who play Elche on Sunday, at the top of LaLiga on goal difference.

The victory marked Barça’s first match at Camp Nou since it closed to be renovated in May 2023 following over two years playing matches at the Olympic Stadium in the city.

“For everyone, players, staff, coaches, it was a special game, also for the fans to be back here in this stadium was an unbelievable feeling,” Flick said in a news conference after the game.

“And we won three points, 4-0, it was not easy, especially the first half against Athletic. But, at the end, everything goes in the right way. I am happy with the clean sheet, four goals and three points — it was the perfect day for us.”

Ferran Torres scored a double for Barcelona in their 4-0 win. Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for the hosts . David Ramos/Getty Images

Fermin Lopez celebrates scoring Barcelona’s third on Saturday. David Ramos/Getty Images

The third tier and the roof still need to be added before Camp Nou is completely finished, with 45,157 the capped attendance for the win over Athletic.

The club hope they will receive permission to increase the amount of fans allowed in to over 60,000 in the new year, with the capacity eventually rising to 105,000, the highest in Europe.

For many Barça players, such as goalscorer Fermín, goalkeeper Joan García and defender Pau Cubarsí, this was the first time they have ever played at Camp Nou, while it was also the first time Flick has coached the Blaugrana at the stadium.

“It was a great feeling when you go out the stairs and reach the pitch and see all the fans,” the German coach added.

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“I was here many years ago when I was just fired from a third division team and I said ‘OK, one day I want to sit on the bench here,’ and it’s like a dream come true. It’s an unbelievable story for me.

“It shows when you work hard, believe in what you can do, everything is possible. This is also what I said to the team [before the game]. We have fantastic fans, a fantastic club here and now we are back home, so it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Barcelona players warm up back at the Camp Nou Getty

Barcelona returned to Camp Nou after two years away. Getty

Barcelona players huddle in a warmup prior to kickoff. Getty

Lewandowski’s eighth league goal of the season