Barcelona will continue to play their home games at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until at least February, the club have confirmed.
Barca have made the Montjuic venue for the 1992 Olympic Games their temporary home since the start of the season while refurbishment work takes place on the Camp Nou.
A club statement said on Wednesday: “Due to UEFA regulations, which prevent changing stadiums during the initial phase of the Champions League and the logistical difficulties and cost overruns of keeping two high-capacity facilities operational at the same time, the club has decided to continue playing at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium until the end of the initial phase of the Champions League.”
It means the stadium will host Barcelona’s first three homes of 2025, including their La Liga fixtures against Valencia on January 26 and Alaves on February 2, as well as their final league phase Champions League tie against Atalanta on January 29.
The club have a contract with Barcelona’s city council to play at the ground until March 31, but it was hoped the Camp Nou would be ready to be reopened at reduced capacity before the end of 2024.
Barcelona vice-president Elena Fort said in October that there was no agreed date for the club’s return to the Camp Nou, despite previous plans to play there to mark the club’s 125-year anniversary, which is on November 29, 2024.
Hansi Flick’s side are top of La Liga, six points clear of nearest rivals Real Madrid, having picked up 11 wins from their opening 13 fixtures.
They return to action following the end of the international break at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
(Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Read the full article here