Barcelona began their 2026/27 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou, as goals from Raphinha and Fermín secured a winning start for Hansi Flick’s side.
The Brazilian forward broke the deadlock after 37 minutes, latching onto a precise pass from Pedri that dissected the Athletic defence. Raphinha calmly rounded visiting goalkeeper Unai Simón before converting to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Athletic Club refused to capitulate and tested the Barcelona rearguard on several occasions. Simón emerged as their standout performer, making multiple important interventions to deny the Blaugrana a more commanding advantage. Despite his efforts, the Basque side could not find an equaliser.
Fermín extinguished any hopes of a comeback with eight minutes remaining, firing home the second goal to confirm the three points. The strike capped a professional display from the hosts, who controlled proceedings without fully hitting their stride.
Fresh faces feature
Flick utilised his squad depth during the second half, introducing Rodri for his debut in the 62nd minute. The new signing entered the fray alongside Dani Olmo as Barcelona sought fresh legs to consolidate their position. The changes proved effective, helping the hosts see out the contest comfortably.
European schedule confirmed
The result marks a positive opening to the league season on home soil. Barcelona supporters will also welcome clarity regarding their continental commitments, with the club receiving confirmation of its Champions League league-phase opponents immediately following the victory.
The Catalan giants will face a demanding schedule comprising Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Como 1907, Paris Saint-Germain, Sporting CP, Galatasaray and Sabah FC. This diverse selection spans England, Italy, France, Portugal, Turkey and Azerbaijan, presenting a varied challenge under the competition’s revised format.
Barcelona must navigate these eight fixtures alongside their domestic commitments, with the league phase demanding consistent performances against opposition of varying profiles. The draw pits them against established heavyweights such as City and PSG, while also introducing less familiar adversaries including Azerbaijani champions Sabah FC.
The triumph over Athletic Club provides an early psychological boost ahead of this congested calendar. Flick’s men demonstrated sufficient quality to overcome stubborn resistance, suggesting the squad possesses the necessary depth to compete on multiple fronts as the season progresses.