Rodri Debuts for Barcelona as Raphinha and Fermin Lopez Seal 2-0 Win Over Athletic Club
Barcelona kept their flawless start to the La Liga season alive by defeating Athletic Club 2-0 at Camp Nou. The match also marked the debut of their high-profile summer signing, Rodri, much to the delight of the Catalan fans.
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez Deliver the Goals
Barcelona secured their second consecutive league win under Hansi Flick with a commanding display. Despite fielding a young lineup featuring four teenagers, it was seasoned winger Raphinha who opened the scoring in the 37th minute. He received a precise through ball from Pedri, skillfully bypassed goalkeeper Unai Simon, and scored his third goal this season.
The hosts dominated throughout, forcing Simon into eight saves to keep Athletic in the game. Lamine Yamal struck the crossbar in the second half, while Anthony Gordon narrowly missed on his first start for the club. Athletic failed to record a single shot on target during the entire match.
The victory was sealed eight minutes before the final whistle when Fermin Lopez capitalized on a poor clearance from Aymeric Laporte after a low cross from Karim Adeyemi, tapping the ball in from close range.
Rodri’s First Appearance at Camp Nou
The night was memorable not just for the win but also for the arrival of Rodri on the pitch. The Spanish international, who joined from Manchester City in a €76.5 million (£65m) deal, came on in the 63rd minute alongside Dani Olmo, replacing Raphinha and Bernal.
Rodri had missed the opening 5-0 victory over Elche due to minor back surgery following his Golden Ball-winning performance at the World Cup. His appearance was warmly welcomed by the home crowd, signaling a new era in midfield for the reigning champions.
Home Fortress Remains Intact
This comfortable win extended Barcelona’s impressive home winning streak in La Liga to 20 matches. This is their longest run since a 25-game stretch between November 2012 and January 2014.
Athletic Club continue to struggle in Catalonia, failing to win in their last 16 visits to Camp Nou. Their inability to test the Barcelona defense exposed a clear gap in offensive quality. Although Nico Williams showed some promise early on, his missed chance summed up a largely ineffective attacking effort.
Building Momentum Under Flick
Barcelona aims to maintain this strong momentum as they defend their La Liga title. With two wins, seven goals scored, and back-to-back clean sheets, Flick’s squad is setting a relentless pace.
The return of Rodri boosts the team’s midfield options ahead of a demanding fixture list. Meanwhile, Athletic Club must quickly improve their attack after an unconvincing showing against the champions.
- Next La Liga Fixtures:
- Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao: 30 Aug 2026, 21:30
- Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: 31 Aug 2026, 21:30
