Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao – News and Probable Lineups

After an impressive 5-0 victory on the opening day, Barcelona returns to the Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday evening, aiming to secure a second consecutive win as Athletic Bilbao comes to visit for a LaLiga Matchday Two clash, matching the defending champions against a team seeking redemption.

Edin Terzic’s squad suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Sevilla in their first match and now faces a daunting challenge against one of the toughest adversaries they could encounter at this juncture – and they have not won against Barcelona at Camp Nou in their last 15 LaLiga encounters.

Match overview

Hansi Flick’s team wasted no time in showcasing their ambitions for the new season, steamrolling Elche 5-0 away in their opener, highlighting why they are considered title favorites this season.

New addition Karim Adeyemi made a significant impact right away, with Raphinha netting the opening goal, followed by Adeyemi doubling the advantage, Raphinha then contributed a third, and Fermin Lopez capped off the rout with a brace.

Last season, Barcelona clinched the title with 94 points, netting 95 goals throughout a commanding campaign, and with their attacking options appearing just as formidable as before – boosted by new signings this summer, there is little to indicate that Flick’s side will give up their title without a contest.

Barcelona’s home form against Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga is exceptional, remaining unbeaten in their last 15 top-flight games at Camp Nou against the Basque side – a record that will surely weigh heavily on Terzic’s players right from the start on Thursday.

Athletic Club embarks on a new chapter under Terzic following Ernesto Valverde’s exit at the conclusion of the last season, and early indications have not been promising, as Bilbao lost their last three pre-season matchups, conceding a total of seven goals in the process.

The defeat against Sevilla on the opening day did little to alleviate those worries, as Bilbao’s game at San Mames was significantly affected by Yuri Berchiche’s red card in the 11th minute, leading Sevilla to score through Oso in the 15th minute, followed by Chidera Ejuke adding a second in the 50th minute, and Isaac Romero extending the lead to three seven minutes later.

Aitor Paredes managed to score a consolation goal in the 70th minute, but despite having periods of possession and taking more shots than their rivals, they failed to recover from the early disadvantage.

The head-to-head record between these teams offers little optimism for Bilbao – Athletic has found the net just once in their last six encounters with Barcelona, with the previous six fixtures ending in victories for Barcelona, who scored 17 goals while conceding just one during this stretch.

The latest clash took place in March 2026, where Barcelona secured a 1-0 win at San Mames, following a 5-0 victory in the Super Cup in January 2026 and a 4-0 triumph at home in LaLiga in November 2025.

Team News

Rodri could make his debut for Barcelona on Thursday after returning to training following a minor back surgery, which would be a significant boost for Flick ahead of this match.

Frenkie de Jong continues to be out with a knee ligament injury, and no definite return date is available at this point.

Gavi had to be substituted during the win against Elche due to a knee issue that first appeared serious. However, further examinations have indicated it to be just a bruise, and he is anticipated to return to the squad soon.

On the side of Athletic Bilbao, Unai Eguiluz, Daniel Vivian, and Nico Serrano are all unavailable due to injuries, while Berchiche serves a suspension for one match following his red card against Sevilla.

Unai Simon will be eager to move past his difficult opening game, where he let in three goals against Sevilla, despite having kept a clean sheet throughout Espanha’s World Cup run.

Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams both came off the bench against Sevilla, with Williams particularly likely to reclaim his place in the starting XI on Thursday, as the winger presents a considerable threat during counter-attacks.

Barcelona probable starting XI:

Garcia; Espart, Cubarsi, Garcia, Martin; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha, Adeyemi

Athletic Bilbao probable starting XI:

Simon; Boiro, Paredes, Alvarez, Areso; Canales, of Gerenabar; Berenguer, Sancet, N. Williams; the cross

Athletic has failed to score in five of their last six meetings against Barcelona, and with Terzic’s team still adjusting under a new manager, the conditions seem set for another straightforward evening for the home side.

Flick boasts a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, and with both Adeyemi and Raphinha already finding form together, Barcelona is expected to secure a solid home win while continuing their ideal start to the title defense.