A dream homecoming for a Barça side that is enjoying itself once again

BarcelonaIt all starts again. 909 days after the last match, the Barça chant has once again echoed through the stands designed decades ago by Francesc Mitjans. A new stadium rises from the foundations of the old Camp Nou, uniting past and future around a ball that has found the back of the net four times against an Athletic Bilbao side that suffered a heavy defeat on a perfect day at Can Barça. Hansi Flick's team didn't falter on a beautiful day, one of those that will be remembered, not so much for a stadium that still has much work to do, but for the feeling it evoked. It's always great to return, and even more so when the team is performing well. The fans have returned to the stadium, and Flick's Barça is gradually becoming what is expected of them: a team that scores goals and is courageous, both in attack and defense.

It was a special day. The eyes of the children who had entered Camp Nou for the first time shone like Christmas Eve. Some of the more veteran fans, like the two members present at the opening match, had tears of emotion in their eyes. Returning is always special. Rediscovering old habits, whether it's meeting up at the bar on the Les Corts side street or buying churros at the corner stand. Rediscovering sounds like the hushed calls of "Tickets, tickets!" from the touts or singing the anthem at the top of your lungs. Returning to a stadium that still slowly rises towards the sky, with a bunch of workers in yellow hard hats in the third tier watching from above as Hansi Flick's team devoured Athletic in a perfect start to the match. In fact, it seemed as if the players were eager to make history and be able to say they were the first to score on the day of their return. After several shots, it was Lewandowski who finally broke the deadlock, with a little help from Unai Simón, who let the Polish striker's shot slip through his fingers.

Flick fielded a different team. He's experimenting, tinkering with different options, and digging through the squad to improve the team. Gerard Martín played center back alongside Cubarsí, with Eric Garcia and his protective mask performing well in midfield. The player from Martorell put in a magnificent performance, demonstrating his character wherever he plays. And in attack, Ferran and Lewandowski worked together, chipping away at the ball and creating space for a Lamine Yamal eager to make his mark. But Barça was like a bottle of fizzy drinks opened at Christmas. Once the cork popped, everything was explosive, but little by little it faded, and Athletic leveled the playing field, allowing Nico Williams, whose ears were ringing every time he touched the ball, to get involved.

The game has been losing steam, and the stands have fallen silent. The Barça fans have never been the loudest in the world, and those who raised their voices did so to demand the supporters' section, which is sorely needed, in whatever form it takes. Whether young or old. In the 10th minute, many chanted Messi's name while Laporta pretended not to notice, and at 17-14, the pro-independence chants continued while more than one tourist wondered what it all meant. The return of old routines on the day Joan Garcia returned to the goal. The goalkeeper from Sallent was as essential as a piece of bread to a shipwrecked sailor. He orchestrates the game with his feet, catches crosses, and just past the half-hour mark, he stopped a very dangerous shot from Unai Gómez, as the player from Bermeo was unmarked inside the box.

Nico Williams, off target

Valverde's team never gave up, maintaining a sufficiently high defensive line that allowed Ferran to score, albeit from a clear offside position. Lamine Yamal, however, failed to capitalize on his opportunities, playing inconsistently. One minute he'd be pulling off one of his trademark moves, sending Basque players tumbling down like leaves on these cold days. The next he'd forget to track back and defend. Every time Yuri attacked down the right, Koundé found himself one-on-one with two opponents. Barça were fortunate that Nico was wasteful in front of goal, having a clear chance just before halftime that narrowly missed the target. The player who caused such a stir last summer, when it was unclear whether he wanted to play under Lamine Yamal or his brother Iñaki, had several opportunities. But his focus was off, and he ended up looking miserable. It simply wasn't his day.

The team still misses players like Pedri. And the team isn't quite the same as it was a season ago, although it's progressing in the right direction. Flick started seven Catalan players, six of them homegrown. As if it were a way of asserting their roots against a rival that also fiercely guards its identity. A team with plenty of talent, character, and that bit of luck that's always needed. In the final play of the first half, when Athletic were pressing hardest, a mistake by the visitors allowed Lamine Yamal to conjure up an assist with the outside of his foot for Ferran, who, on the contrary, tormented Unai Simon, who was having an off day. The ball for the 2-0 goal slipped under his body. A gift before halftime in a match decided in the penalty areas. Barça had shots on target, and Simon couldn't catch them. In contrast, Joan Garcia caught them all.

The Valencian's goal was psychological. It came in the final play of the first half. And it was followed by a second hard blow to the jaw of the now-yellow-clad opponent. Shortly after returning from the locker room, Eric found Fermín López unmarked inside the area, and he made it 3-0. The Andalusian, that player who a few months ago seemed destined to pack his bags, is constant and hardworking, like his grandparents, Andalusian farm laborers. He never stops moving, finds spaces, and decides matches like this one on his return home. The game was effectively over, and blessed, with the third goal. And if anyone had any doubts, Oihan Sancet made it perfectly clear and was sent off for a senseless act of aggression with half an hour of play remaining. Valverde, looking dejected, took a dejected Nico Williams off the field, praying not to concede any more goals from an opponent already thinking about the big match next Tuesday at Chelsea.

Lewandowski and Fermín were substituted immediately, just in case, as the Polish striker has shown he's always needed. He returned the favor, and so did the victories and goals of a team that enjoyed a perfect day, with Ferran scoring the fourth in the final minutes. A resounding victory and a flawless second half, although Lamine Yamal is still far from his best form. Laporta smiled contentedly at seeing the stadium reopened to the public after so many days, Flick seemed calm after his men's excellent second half, Joan Garcia was making every save, Raphinha had ten minutes to get back into rhythm, and players who had grown up watching matches at the Camp Nou, like Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, were able to play for the first time. It won't be the last, now that Barça has finally been able to return to the epicenter of its passion. On the day the Les Corts neighborhood welcomed back thousands of excited Barcelona fans, the team left a written message for them all: this team is eager to compete for everything. With the return home, the excitement returns.