FC Barcelona’s Champions League Campaign
Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has revealed that the club has made a request to UEFA to allow them to begin their Champions League campaign with an away match. This request arises as the Spotify Camp Nou remains unfit for use due to ongoing renovations. The initial matches of the Champions League group stage are scheduled for September 16-18.
Temporary Home Matches
During the past two seasons, Barcelona has temporarily played their home matches at the city’s Olympic Stadium as their own venue undergoes extensive refurbishments. “We have formally asked UEFA to permit us to play our first match on the road,” Laporta conveyed in an interview with El Mundo Deportivo. He added, “The draw for the tournament will take place on August 28, and we are eager to see how this develops. Our rapport with UEFA is improving, and we anticipate a positive outcome.”
Return to Camp Nou
Originally, Barcelona had intended to return to the Camp Nou by November 2024; however, this timeline continues to be extended. The club recently announced a planned return for the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10, which was ultimately relocated to Estadi Johan Cruyff due to unresolved licensing matters surrounding the stadium’s reopening.
While Laporta could not specify a precise date for Barcelona’s return to their historic ground, he emphasized its necessity to meet essential financial obligations. “We are not contemplating the alternative of not returning this season,” he stated. “All our budgets and commitments tied to our financing plans hinge on our reinstatement at Spotify Camp Nou.” He underscored the challenges the club faces, noting that starting afresh would complicate financial projections but expressed optimism that a return to the Camp Nou would occur without further delays.
Tribute to Lionel Messi
In another aspect of club affairs, Laporta reiterated his hope for a grand reopening of the stadium featuring a tribute to Lionel Messi, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer who departed in August 2021 as a free agent amid financial turmoil. Although he has yet to engage directly with Messi or his representatives regarding this tribute, Laporta shared, “We always believed that the ideal scenario would be to inaugurate the new Spotify Camp Nou with an homage to Leo. Discussions have occurred, and we would cherish the opportunity, pending Leo’s consent and his family’s support.”
Upcoming Matches
The current league champions, Barcelona, will begin the new season with three consecutive away matches against Mallorca, Levante, and Rayo Vallecano, before finally returning home to host Valencia on September 14.
