Rodri Debuts as Raphinha and Fermin Lopez Lead Barcelona to 2-0 Win Over Athletic Club

Barcelona's Strong Start Continues with Win Over Athletic Club

Barcelona maintained their flawless run in La Liga with a commanding 2-0 victory against Athletic Club at Camp Nou. The match was especially memorable as new signing Rodri made his debut for the Catalan side.

Raphinha and Fermin Lopez Secure the Win

Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona claimed their second win from two matches. Flick opted for a young lineup including four teenagers, yet it was seasoned winger Raphinha who opened the scoring. In the 37th minute, he received a precise pass from Pedri, bypassed goalkeeper Unai Simon, and scored his third goal this season.

The home side dominated possession, with Simon making eight saves to keep Athletic in the game. Youngster Lamine Yamal hit the crossbar in the second half, and Anthony Gordon narrowly missed on his first start for Barcelona.

Athletic Club failed to record a shot on target throughout the entire match. Their resistance finally broke eight minutes before the end when Fermin Lopez tapped in from close range after a poor clearance by Aymeric Laporte following Karim Adeyemi’s low cross.

Rodri’s Impactful Debut

The performance highlighted Flick’s balance of youth and experience. He trusted teenagers Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal, and Xavi Espart right from the start, showing faith in La Masia’s latest talents.

The biggest cheer came for Rodri, who entered the pitch in the 63rd minute alongside Dani Olmo, replacing Raphinha and Bernal. Rodri, acquired from Manchester City for €76.5 million (£65m), had missed the opening 5-0 win over Elche due to minor back surgery after winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup. His arrival signaled fresh energy for Barcelona’s midfield.

Home Strength Maintained

This win extended Barcelona’s impressive La Liga home winning streak to 20 games, their longest since a 25-match run between November 2012 and January 2014.

For Athletic Club, the loss continued a difficult spell in Catalonia. They remain without a win in their last 16 visits to Camp Nou. Their lack of attacking threat was evident, with Nico Williams briefly shining but missing a key chance in the first half, reflecting their overall blunt performance.

Looking Ahead

Barcelona aim to keep building on this perfect start with two wins, seven goals scored, and clean sheets in both matches. Rodri’s return to full fitness offers a big boost as the schedule toughens.

Athletic Club must regroup quickly to improve their attack after failing to trouble the defending champions.

• Upcoming fixtures:
• Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao: 30 Aug 2026, 21:30
• Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: 31 Aug 2026, 21:30