Eternity is a long time, especially towards the end. 909 days after moving to Montjuic, Barca finally returned to their Camp Nou, even though the renovations aren't finished yet, and it will be many more months before the stadium reaches its full 105,000-seat capacity. For Joan Laporta, it's also a relief, as Europe's largest stadium is a key part of his legacy.
Even as president of Barcelona, he's still a fan like everyone else. Kick-off is two and a half hours away, but he's already there, smartphone in hand. He films the stands, takes selfies - something he'll keep doing as the VIP guests arrive.
He's not the only one wanting to capture the moment. Supporters and journalists alike are striking poses, making it look more like Fashion Week than a school fair. The camera angles may not be original, but one photo stands out: three generations in one frame, from grandfather to a baby just a few weeks old, sleeping soundly despite the booming sound system.
The first two tiers are three-quarters open, and every seat is quickly filled. Unlike the usual local custom, everyone has arrived early. No one wants to miss a second of this homecoming.
The first round of applause breaks out as the Barca goalkeepers come out to warm up. As usual, they get the first ovation, a few minutes before the rest of the team appears.
It's the first time back, so things are running a bit behind schedule. The club anthem is sung by a choir, accompanied by fireworks. A minute's silence is observed for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - somewhat ironic in the same week the club welcomed Jerome Boateng to attend a few training sessions. The ceremonial kick-off is then taken by two fans who were present at the original Camp Nou inauguration in 1957.
Visually, the revamped stadium feels less open than before, and the crowd seems almost close enough to touch the players. Is it just an illusion after months at Montjuic, where the Olympic track kept fans far from the action?
Either way, the acoustics are excellent, as you can tell when the chants echo around the ground. This was especially clear when much of the stadium called for the return of the grada animacio, which is still closed for now (it will be where the blue and garnet tarps were placed).
The significance of the occasion didn't faze Barca. Robert Lewandowski needed just five minutes to write the first chapter of this new era.
Athletic, looking timid, only showed signs of life for about ten minutes after the half-hour mark. Before half-time, Lamine Yamal set up Ferran Torres for a goal.
The pair would combine again at the end of the match. Between the two goals from the Tiburon, Fermin Lopez became the first Masia graduate to score in the new stadium. There's still one milestone left: the first Catalan scorer... Maybe next week, when Alaves comes to town.
Party starting
4-0: the party is complete. At the final whistle, the Barca anthem blared from the speakers, with a light show and more fireworks. As fans left the stadium, some chanted one of the club's most famous songs, answered by two kids.
The difference in their voices made for a funny scene - until a Boixos Nois flag was unfurled, making their anti-Laporta slogans clear, a grudge that's lasted over 20 years.
The biting cold (temperatures dropped by about 10 degrees midweek) did nothing to dampen the contagious excitement of this homecoming. Athletic paid the price.
"For everyone - players, staff, supporters - it was fantastic to come back here. Plus, we got three points, we won 4-0. Everything went our way," summed up Hansi Flick. "For everyone, it's incredible to be in this stadium."
Returning to Camp Nou is just the first step. Now that they've settled back in, Barca hopes this new energy will help them chase more trophies. The goal is ambitious, but it's always easier to achieve at home than on Montjuic hill, which is now part of the past.