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Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon was one of the most impressive performers in Friday's game, making a string of saves to keep things nervy for Hansi Flick's side even after he was beaten by Raphinha late in the first half.

But Fermin eventually got the clinching goal for the champions, who have maximum points after their first two matches in LaLiga and could hand Rodri his first start against Rayo Vallecano on Monday, after he got through almost half an hour as a substitute. 

The host's first two chances fell Lamine Yamal's way, but after failing to get enough curl on his first shot, he saw his second repelled by Simon at full stretch, which was a sign of things to come.

Raphinha's downward header bounced off the post and Pedri saw a driven finish from Anthony Gordon's offload chalked off due to an offside against Yamal in the build-up, but the hosts finally made their superiority count in the 37th minute. 

Pedri dropped deep before slotting a trademark through-ball between centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Yeray Alvarez, and Raphinha calmly rounded Simon to finish it off.

Another stunning Simon save thwarted Yamal from point-blank range late in the first half, and the Spain winger saw his unfortunate night continue early in the second, as another long-range shot of his deflected up into the air and onto the crossbar. 

Rodri was introduced to much fanfare in the 63rd minute, though Oihan Sancet then dealt Barca a major scare when he struck the base of the post with his 20-yard drive. 

But Barca then got the all-important second goal eight minutes from time, with another new recruit, Karim Adeyemi, supplying a left-wing cross that Laporte diverted towards his own goal. With Simon grounded and wrong-footed, Fermin gratefully tapped into the unguarded net.

There was still time for Simon to add to his own personal highlight reel, as he showed great reflexes to get down to Adeyemi's far-post effort, but Barca were deserving victors.