Barcelona – Athletic Club: Perfect Return to Spotify Camp Nou (4-0)

Barcelona celebrated their return to Spotify Camp Nou Stadium by edging past Athletic Club before heading to London. The home return saw the Catalans achieve their first clean sheet since their 3-0 thrashing against Getafe.

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

Before the international break, Barcelona reduced the deficit with Real Madrid to three points after edging past Celta Vigo, and Los Blancos had dropped two points against Rayo Vallecano. The Catalans returned to their iconic Spotify Camp Nou stadium after more than two years of renovation. The work is still in progress as the stadium reopened its doors with a reduced capacity. The return to home wasn't the only jovial news for Barcelona, as Lamine Yamal had recovered from the groin problem, whilst Raphinha and Joan Garcia came through their rehab to feature in the squad again.

Athletic Club visited Spotify Camp Nou, having won only two games in the last five league matches. Not only that, but Ernesto Valverde's team came out victorious once in the UEFA Champions League, which saw them rank in the elimination spots. Iñaki Williams, Unai Eguiluz, and Maroan Sannadi remained unavailable due to injuries, whereas attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet has returned to training.

Ernesto Valverde started with Dani Viviana and Aymeric Laporte in the middle of the defense, with Yuri Berchiche and Andoni Gorosabel operating as fullbacks. Ruiz de Galarreta partnered with Mikel Jauregizar in the pivot . . .