The other great triumph of the return to Camp Nou: the immediate notes from Barça-Athletic

BarcelonaBarça's rout (4-0) In the most anticipated return for Barcelona fans. Here are four key takeaways from the victory against Athletic Club.

Eric Garcia, award for perseverance. Guardiola wanted to keep him at City. Under Xavi, he didn't get all the opportunities he wanted and went to Girona to prove he's a true country boy. He also came close to leaving under Flick last January, almost a year ago. But, quietly and diligently, earning his place in every training session, he stayed and became a key player last season. This season, he's played the most minutes of any player. Against Athletic Bilbao, he excelled as a holding midfielder, playing a key role in the first and third goals, winning back possession himself.

Lewandowski takes the jackpot. Everyone wanted to score the first goal on their return to the Camp Nou. Barça came onto the pitch highly motivated, determined to attack, punishing their opponent's high defensive line. The Blaugrana were flying, you only had to see how Lamine Yamal tried to create chances. The biggest reward went to Lewandowski. The high press, which suffocated the Basque side, was capitalized on by the Polish striker, who finished off the first goal with a little help from Unai Simón, who didn't have his best afternoon in goal. Lewandowski adds another golden chapter to his illustrious career as a goalscorer.

A triumph full of symbolism. Returning to the Camp Nou is already a great triumph for Barça. But the other great victory is having returned with a resounding victory and with today's starting eleven. Barça, as its main motto states, is More than a club and a pillar of Catalan identity and Catalan nationalist sentiment. Returning home and doing so with a lineup of up to seven players born in Catalonia is the other great triumph. They were: Joan, Cubarsí, Gerard, Balde, Eric, Olmo, and Lamine Yamal (later, Casadó and Bernal would come on). If we take into account the Catalan Countries, there would be up to eight starters, including Ferran.

Heading towards Stamford Bridge with high morale. Barça will travel to London on Monday with a healthy dose of optimism after convincingly defeating Athletic Bilbao. Having players back is a welcome boost for Flick's side, who need to secure three points at Chelsea if they don't want to see their chances of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League group stage slip away. The team has already welcomed back Joan Garcia, who impressed on his return, and Raphinha, who played ten minutes. De Jong will also be available in London, having served his suspension against Athletic. Pedri's availability is more uncertain.