Barcelona's Camp Nou return was the 'perfect day', says Flick

Hansi Flick described Barcelona's return to Camp Nou as "the perfect day" after watching his side thump Athletic Club 4-0 on Saturday. 

In what was Barcelona's first game at the iconic stadium since May 28, 2023, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal stole the show for the Blaugrana. 

Robert Lewandowski's fourth-minute opener got the Blaugrana off to the perfect start before Torres netted his first of the match in first-half stoppage time. 

Barcelona pulled further clear through Fermin Lopez three minutes after the restart, before Athletic were reduced to 10 men following Oihan Sancet's straight red card. 

Torres capped a fine individual display on the stroke of full-time, with Barcelona having now scored in each of their last 33 LaLiga matches (85 goals), their best scoring run in the competition since February 2019 when Ernesto Valverde was at the helm (37 games, 99 goals). 

Former Manchester City forward Torres has now scored 22 goals at club level in 2025, more than any other Spanish player across Europe's top five leagues in all competitions. 

Athletic, meanwhile, have conceded three goals, committed an error that resulted in a goal, and received a red card in the same LaLiga match for the first time since January 2013 against Levante, with Marcelo Bielsa as manager.

Flick's side moved above Real Madrid into top spot in the Spanish top-flight, albeit temporarily, with Los Blancos in action against Elche on Sunday.

The German coach was proud of how his team performed on what was a momentous occasion for the club.

"For everyone, players, staff, coaches, it was a special game, and for the fans to be back here in this stadium was an unbelievable feeling," said Flick.

"And we won, three points, 4-0. It was not easy, especially the first half against Athletic.

"But, at the end, everything goes in the right way. I am happy with the clean sheet, four goals and three points – it was the perfect day for us."

Lewandowski, who captained the side, has now scored eight goals in 10 LaLiga games this season, but the striker believes his latest strike is his most unforgettable to date. 

"Today was a special day, not only for me but for everyone," said Lewandowski. "Because of this, I'm very happy that I could score the first goal, coming back to Camp Nou.

"I have so much experience playing in different stadiums, but here is something special.

"I'm very proud of myself and also of the team because we did a great job today and we won. "I think this first goal for me is something that I'm going to remember forever."