Barça healed its European wounds at home and celebrated its 126th anniversary with a win and a lineup full of academy players, although the day was not without controversy due to ticket issues among club members.
A nightmare start and a spirited comeback
There is no place like home. FC Barcelona smiled again at the Spotify Camp Nou after the painful loss in London. In their second straight home game, Hansi Flick’s team suffered but triumphed. Pablo Ibáñez put Alavés ahead after only 43 seconds, but goals from Lamine Yamal and a brace from Dani Olmo turned the game around and placed Barça at the top of the LaLiga table, putting pressure on Real Madrid.
The match also became the perfect tribute to the club’s 126th anniversary, featuring a lineup full of identity and pride: seven homegrown players and nine Catalans on the pitch. Gerard Martín returned to defense, Marc Bernal made his first start, and the starting eleven reflected the essence of La Masia blended with international talent. A clear message from Flick about what this team wants to be.
Lamine Yamal shines again
The start could not have been worse. A clearance error by Marc Casadó from a corner gave Pablo Ibáñez the chance to score early. But Lamine Yamal answered back with maturity and flair. He was a constant threat to the visiting defense and scored the equalizer after a sharp pass from Balde. His celebration, pointing at the crest, reignited the Camp Nou crowd that had been too quiet for much of the night.
Dani Olmo seals the victory
Barça’s control grew as the first half went on. Dani Olmo, everywhere in midfield, finished off a perfect combination between Gerard Martín and Raphinha to make it 2-1. In the second half, Barça managed possession calmly without taking many risks. The highlight was the return of Pedri, who came on after a month out and wore the captain’s armband to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Near the end, Olmo struck again, combining with Yamal to secure the final 3-1 scoreline. It was a hard-fought but deserved victory that reconnected the team with its fans and restored confidence to the dressing room.
Anniversary overshadowed by ticket chaos
The festive day was not flawless. More than 2,000 Barça members experienced technical problems downloading their tickets from the Members App. Many entered the stadium without QR codes or even after the match had already started, sparking harsh criticism from opposition groups.
The ‘Nosaltres’ platform, led by Víctor Font, posted on social media: “Members deserve a Barça that takes care of them. What is happening today with the tickets is unacceptable.”
The ‘Som un Clam’ group, led by Joan Camprubí, also spoke out: “They make us struggle every day. If we had fixed seats and membership cards, this would not happen. But of course, we are not VIPs. All this, on the club’s 126th anniversary.”
Bottom line
Barça celebrated its anniversary with a valuable win, a lineup filled with homegrown talent, and flashes of brilliance from its young stars. However, the off-field chaos with members reminded everyone that the club must nurture both its football and its people. On the pitch, joy returned; off it, the challenge remains.
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