Goals by Raphinha and Fermin Lopez helped Spanish champions Barcelona keep their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga Wednesday.
The Catalan giants strolled to a comfortable win against their Basque guests in their opening game of the season at the partially reconstructed Camp Nou, with new signing Rodri making his Barca debut, writes AFP.
Raphinha beat the keeper and slipped home to give Barca the lead in the 37th minute and Lopez netted after 82 minutes to seal the points. The Catalans missed multiple chances for extra goals and struck the woodwork twice.
“Very happy to play my first game, happy with the victory, we’ve got two from two,” Rodri told DAZN.
“It is important to keep building up rhythm and adapting to this great team. My initial minutes and (some) wonderful feelings.”
Barca coach Hansi Flick made three changes to the side that thumped Elche 5-0 last weekend, giving Anthony Gordon his first start for the club, while inserting Pedri Gonzalez in midfield and selecting Pau Cubarsi in defence.
Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the German had used Raphinha in a makeshift number nine role.
Atletico Madrid have rejected Barca’s attempts to lure Julian Alvarez, with the Spanish champions not looking to enter negotiations for the Argentina forward.
But Raphinha, playing from his striker’s position, scored twice against Elche and was on target again for Barca at Camp Nou to give them a deserved lead at the break.
“Whatever position Rapha plays, as a captain he has shown total commitment to this team, to this club,” Flick told reporters.
“You can tell the fans are linked with him and it’s really fantastic.
Barca dominated the game as the Brazilian headed against the post from Xavi Espart’s cross midway through the first half, with Lamine Yamal’s follow-up shot deflected wide.
Eventually it was Pedri who got the visitors on their way when he released Raphinha through and the Brazilian rounded Unai Simon before rolling home.
Teenage star Yamal should have increased Barca’s advantage before the break but Simon produced a fantastic stop to deny him, while Gordon protested he would have had an open goal if the Spain international had knocked the ball across to him.
Barcelona searched for a second goal and Gordon arrowed a shot just over early in the second half.
Yamal, not at his best after a hamstring injury in April, struck the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box. Lopez had a brace in the opener, but Simon saved twice from him.
Flick handed a debut in midfield to former Manchester City player Rodri as Barcelona started with 10 Spaniards plus Gordon.
Sealing the points
The champions were on top but Athletic had threatened with a rare attack forward, Oihan Sancet hammering against the post.
Barca finally got their second following a mistake from Athletic defender Aymeric Laporte, who shanked Barca replacement Karim Adeyemi’s cross past Simon, allowing Lopez to tuck into an empty net.
Adeyemi should have made it three late on when Yamal found him at the back post but Simon denied the German from close range.
The attacker improved in the second half after a difficult opening 45 minutes and a poor showing against Elche and Rodri said he is making progress.
“Maybe Lamine came from a moment where he was a little down and today we tried to help him get up again and we saw his best version, even if he didn’t score,” said Rodri, the Spain captain and World Cup winner.
“There’s talent there, the goals will come.”
Athletic Bilbao open season with two defeats under new coach Edin Terzic.
“I’m not a constant winner, I’m a constant trier,” stated ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Terzic.
“I am totally convinced and confident that when I see how we worked in these two games and in the training ground, sooner or later we are going to get what we deserve and turn results in our favour.”
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