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Barcelona is facing a difficult situation regarding the venue of its upcoming UEFA Champions League matches and the club is currently seeking a solution.
According to MARCA, the issue is further complicated by the fact that Barcelona will not be able to return to the Camp Nou until next season.
To make matters worse, the team will not be able to play its Champions League matches at the Montjuïc stadium beyond the first phase due to previous commitments made by the City Council.
What is the story?
As things stand, UEFA regulations require Barcelona to play all remaining Champions League matches at the same venue.
This creates two possible scenarios for the club, depending on their performance in the group stage. If Barcelona play in the play-offs for a place in the round of 16, they will have to finalize their stadium selection before the January 31 draw.
However, if the team manages to finish in the top eight, they will have more time to decide, with a deadline to confirm the venue set for February 21, just before the round of 16 qualifiers begin in early March.
What are the options?
The challenge lies in the uncertainty of whether the Camp Nou will be ready on time. The most viable alternative for Barcelona is RCDE Stadium in Cornellà, home of rival Espanyol.
This 40,000-capacity stadium meets all UEFA requirements, but some within Barcelona’s hierarchy are hesitant to play at Espanyol’s stadium due to the rivalry between the clubs.
Other potential options include Mestalla in Valencia and the Metropolitan in Madrid. Mestalla, with a capacity of 55,000 people, is closer to Barcelona, but the Metropolitano, with a larger capacity of 70,000 people, offers better facilities.
Discussion with the council.
Barcelona management is currently in talks, closely monitoring the progress of the Camp Nou renovations.
The club’s decision will ultimately depend on the team’s progress in the Champions League group stage and which stadium is available to host the remaining matches.
It seems unlikely that the City Council will grant them an extension to continue playing in Montjuic beyond the first phase, leaving Barcelona with limited options on where to play their European matches.
