Robert Lewandowski wanted simply 4 minutes to open the scoring on the new Spotify Camp Nou final night time as on match day 13 of La Liga.
A Ferran Torres brace and a Fermin Lopez purpose helped add to the Polish striker’s purpose and supply the four-goal cushion, whereas the defence delivered with a clear sheet in the end.
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What was shocking, nonetheless, was how comfy the Catalans had been via the midfield, particularly given they had been with out not solely Gavi but additionally Pedri and Frenkie de Jong on the night time.
Additionally among the many occasions of the day had been the returns of Joan Garcia and Raphinha, minutes for Marc Bernal and a Lamine Yamal show of beautiful assists, all of which helped cap off a surprising night time.
Barça Common brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Membership de Bilbao.
The precise begin to a brand new period
A 4-0 win over Athletic Membership is certainly the very best means Barcelona may have kicked off a brand new period final night time, for the sport was one that may go down within the historical past books.
Barcelona received off to a terrific begin at Spotify Camp Nou. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
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Returning to the Spotify Camp Nou after over 900 days, the night time was particular for the crew in some ways for a lot of gamers.
For some, it marked the tip of their lengthy exile away from house and marked the start of a recent begin, whereas for others, it was their first ever time taking part in on the stadium regardless of rising up in La Masia over time.
Curiously, for some gamers who’ve featured on the venue for different groups, it was their first expertise of the venue as a Barcelona participant, utterly altering the expertise.
All components thought-about, it was by no means doubtful that Barcelona would do all the pieces of their capability to kick off the brand new period in fairytale style they usually did precisely so with out giving the guests any route again into the sport.
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Over the rest of the marketing campaign and the years to return, the Spotify Camp Nou will see a number of elite video games throughout each La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, however Saturday’s 4-0 win towards Athletic Membership can be endlessly remembered because the win that kicked begin the brand new starting.
A clear sheet finally
Joan Garcia stored a clear sheet. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
Joan Garcia was injured in Barcelona’s win over Actual Oviedo in late September, and since then, it was Wojciech Szczesny who took cost. Since then, nonetheless, Barcelona didn’t register a single clear sheet.
The final time they didn’t concede a purpose was towards Getafe, simply earlier than the Actual Oviedo sport, after which Joan Garcia was compelled to take day off.
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It’s only poetic that the following clear sheet got here final night time, when he simply returned from damage.
The Spanish goalkeeper did brilliantly to disclaim Athletic Membership on the few events the place he was challenged and was extraordinarily comfy together with his distribution and sweeping.
His standout efficiency aside, the defence additionally did exceedingly nicely final night time.
Hansi Flick’s determination to begin Gerard Martin at centre-back alongside Pau Cubarsi appeared doubtful from the skin, however the participant stepped up his sport and seemed extraordinarily comfy, maybe much more than among the pure defenders within the squad.
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Martin and Cubarsi’s mixture held the offside entice to perfection, whereas Jules Kounde silently had his greatest efficiency of the season, holding off Nico Williams on the fitting flank.
Flick additionally lowered the line of defense to an extent, making the Catalans look very comfy in defending towards counterattacks.
It’s unclear if his choices had been one-off choices, however the sport leaves critical backing for each Martin at CB and a barely lowered high-line to characteristic once more.
Two tireless stars shine
Barcelona’s defence took care of the clear sheet whereas the forwards delivered with good impact to impose a dominant scoreline towards the Basque aspect.
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Whereas that does point out an all-round standout efficiency, two gamers stood out specifically for his or her work price and high quality on the night time.
Fermin Lopez delivered yet one more flawless efficiency. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
Flick turned to Eric Garcia to play because the crew’s pivot, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong unavailable and Marc Casado not 100% match to begin.
Whereas one all the time anticipated Garcia to be stable, he was far superior to what anybody may have imagined.
The 24-year-old defender was rock-solid sitting because the pivot and intercepted Athletic Membership’s assault with ease time and time once more.
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His completely timed strain and challenges reduce off the guests’ buildup and transitioned the defence to assault immediately.
Garcia additionally excelled together with his distribution and nearly dictated the tempo of the sport, and he even received into attacking areas to mix with the forwards to create possibilities – all whereas not compromising his defensive solidity.
His help for Fermin Lopez’s purpose was the right instance.
The participant left the sector with the stadium handing him a heat standing ovation and chants of his title, and it’s clear how helpful he’s to the crew at the moment.
The second participant who gave his all on the sector final night time was Fermin himself. He was nearly all over the place towards Athletic Membership, lunging into tackles to win the ball again and create attacking openings.
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Fermin’s runs behind the defence frequently threatened the Basque purpose and he received into areas typically, linking up and creating possibilities.
He ended the sport with a purpose, two photographs heading in the right direction, a key move, 5 duels received and a staggering seven recoveries, and it was clear how particular the event was for him as he registered his a centesimal official sport for Barcelona.