The Barcelona continues to work around the clock to get Camp Nou ready for the start of LaLiga. A few weeks ago, they suffered a major blow when it was announced that they had not obtained the necessary licenses to host the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como, featuring Cesc Fábregas. The aim was to return home for that match, but once again Joan Laporta’s promises have evaporated and now the goal is to be ready in September, come what may. The laying of the turf seems to be generating a lot of excitement, but this means nothing for now.
The club has begun laying the final turf that will be seen at the Camp Nou next season, which they hope will be ready in mid-September for the fourth match of the season against Valencia. In fact, safety tests have been carried out at the facilities in recent days to determine whether it will be possible to obtain the long-awaited partial opening license for the stadium, but Barcelona will have to continue undergoing these exhaustive tests, and it will be in the coming weeks when it will be known whether they can finally return to their home for good or whether it will be another broken promise from Joan Laporta.
The return to Camp Nou in doubt
It goes without saying that Barcelona fans are tired of being told that they will return to Camp Nou only for it not to happen. Joan Laporta has already spoken on several occasions, setting a date for the return, but, for now, the day that the fans are eagerly awaiting has yet to arrive. During the last season, there was speculation on several occasions that they would return, but in the end, it was not to be. Once the season was over, Barcelona announced with great fanfare that the date would be August 10 at the Joan Gamper Trophy, but the result has been the same: another broken promise.
The Culés are tired of the return being sold before it has been officially confirmed by the authorities. Now the next goal is for the Camp Nou to be partially opened on the fourth day of LaLiga against Valencia, but if this is not the case, the Barça team will have to play that match at the Johan Cruyff, as in the Joan Gamper Trophy, as it cannot be held at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium due to a concert.
The Champions League at risk
However, the real challenge for Joan Laporta and Barcelona is to be ready for the first match of the Champions League group stage. In the national championship, Barça could play several matches at the Johan Cruyff Stadium and return to the Camp Nou when authorized by the relevant authorities, but in Europe’s top competition, there is no room for error. The rules state that they will have to play the entire round in the same stadium where they play their first home game, so for their Champions League debut, they need the Camp Nou to be ready no matter what.
That is why Barcelona has asked UEFA to play their first Champions League group stage match away from Barcelona. This would give them a little more time to continue with the work and resubmit the plans to the authorities responsible for granting or rejecting the license. These weeks will therefore be crucial in determining the fate of the Camp Nou ahead of the start of LaLiga and the European competition that Hansi Flick‘s players are dreaming of winning.