Rodri Debuts as Barcelona Defeat Athletic Club 2-0 at Camp Nou
Barcelona maintained their perfect start in La Liga with a commanding 2-0 win over Athletic Club at the Camp Nou. The match marked an important moment for the Catalan side as new signing Rodri made his debut.
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez Secure Victory
The win was Barcelona's second in as many league games this season. Manager Hansi Flick fielded a young team that included four teenagers, but it was the experienced Raphinha who opened the scoring. In the 37th minute, he skillfully received a precise through ball from Pedri, rounded goalkeeper Unai Simon, and scored his third goal of the season.
Barcelona controlled the game, forcing Simon to make eight saves to keep Athletic Club in contention. Notable chances included Lamine Yamal hitting the crossbar in the second half and Anthony Gordon narrowly missing during his first start for the club. Meanwhile, Athletic Club failed to register a single shot on target throughout the entire match.
Eight minutes before the final whistle, Fermin Lopez added the second goal after capitalizing on a poor clearance by Aymeric Laporte following a low cross from Karim Adeyemi.
Rodri’s First Appearance at Camp Nou
The night also celebrated Rodri’s arrival on the pitch. The Spanish midfielder, signed from Manchester City for €76.5 million (£65 million), came on in the 63rd minute alongside Dani Olmo, replacing Raphinha and Marc Bernal. Rodri had missed the opening 5-0 victory over Elche due to minor back surgery after his Golden Ball performance at the World Cup. His introduction was met with loud cheers from the home fans, signaling a fresh chapter for Barcelona’s midfield.
Barcelona Extend Home Winning Streak
This result pushed Barcelona’s unbeaten run at Camp Nou in La Liga to 20 consecutive wins, their longest since a 25-match streak between November 2012 and January 2014. For Athletic Club, the loss extended their winless run in Catalonia to 16 matches. Their lack of offensive threat highlighted a clear gap in quality, despite a brief chance by Nico Williams in the first half that went wide.
Looking Ahead
Barcelona now aim to build on their strong start as they defend their La Liga title. With two wins, seven goals scored, and clean sheets in both matches, Hansi Flick’s side have set a fast pace for the season. The return of Rodri to full fitness adds strength as the schedule becomes busier. Meanwhile, Athletic Club must improve their attack quickly after failing to test the champions.
Next fixtures:
- Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao: 30 Aug 2026, 21:30
- Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: 31 Aug 2026, 21:30
