Top News

Rodri made his first appearance for Barcelona as Raphinha and Fermin Lopez guided the Catalan side to a 2-0 win against Athletic Club.

Barcelona maintained their flawless start to the La Liga campaign with an authoritative 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at Camp Nou. The night became even more memorable for the Blaugrana supporters as high-profile summer arrival Rodri finally made his much-awaited debut for the Catalan giants.

Raphinha and Fermin Lopez deliver the points

Barcelona recorded their second win in as many La Liga matches after comfortably beating Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou. Hansi Flick selected a youthful starting XI that included four teenagers, but it was one of his more experienced players who opened the scoring. In the 37th minute, Raphinha latched on to an accurate through ball from Pedri, went around goalkeeper Unai Simon and finished calmly for his third goal of the season.

The home side controlled the contest throughout, with Simon needing to make eight saves to keep the Basque visitors in the game. Lamine Yamal struck the crossbar after the break, while Anthony Gordon sent an effort just over on his first start for the Catalan club.

Athletic Club did not manage a single shot on target across the full 90 minutes. Their resistance was broken again with eight minutes remaining when Fermin Lopez took advantage of a poor clearance from Aymeric Laporte after Karim Adeyemi drilled in a low cross, and he converted from close range.

Rodri receives a huge welcome at Camp Nou

The commanding display underlined Flick's success in blending emerging young talent with major new signings. The German coach placed his trust in teenagers Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart from the opening whistle, underlining his belief in the newest generation coming through La Masia.

The loudest reception of the evening was saved for Rodri. The Spain international, who joined from Manchester City in a total deal worth €76.5 million (£65m), came on in the 63rd minute alongside Dani Olmo, replacing Raphinha and Bernal.

Rodri had sat out the opening 5-0 demolition of Elche after undergoing minor back surgery following his Golden Ball-winning performances at the World Cup. His arrival on the pitch was greeted by huge cheers from the crowd, signalling a fresh chapter in midfield for the reigning champions.

Barcelona's home dominance rolls on

This comfortable victory stretched Barcelona's impressive La Liga winning run at Camp Nou to 20 matches. It is the club's longest sequence of consecutive home league wins since they put together a 25-match streak between November 2012 and January 2014.

For Athletic Club, the loss extends a dismal run in Catalonia. The Basque side are now without a win in their last 16 trips to Camp Nou, and their failure to trouble the Barcelona back line exposed a clear lack of attacking sharpness. Nico Williams showed a brief spark in the first half but pulled his effort wide, summing up an ineffective display from the visitors.

Building momentum under Flick

Barcelona will now aim to carry this perfect opening forward as they look to retain their La Liga title. With two emphatic victories, seven goals scored and back-to-back clean sheets, Flick's team are already setting an unforgiving standard.

Rodri's return to full fitness gives the Catalan giants a major lift as their schedule becomes more demanding. Athletic Club, meanwhile, must respond quickly and find a way to improve their attack after offering so little threat against the champions.