"For Barcelona, it never rains but it pours which is unfortunate, given the state of their ground. Barcelona are one of the favourites for the Champions League once more after a semi-final appearance last year and one of the most complete squads in the whole of football but as has become the norm in recent seasons, their European campaign may be derailed by matters off the field."
"Ranked at no.7 in FourFourTwo's list of the best stadiums in the world, Camp Nou is one of the world's great arenas and it's actually hosted a Champions League final, as the setting for the breathtaking 1999 showpiece in which Manchester United completed their fated Treble. Since June 2023, the ground has been under renovation, however, with president Joan Laporta claiming that Cules would be able to return home in December 2024."
"Barcelona are luckily playing away this week in the Champions League against Newcastle United, but UEFA require just 10-15 days before their first home match on October 1 against PSG to confirm their home ground for the following campaign. Once decided, Barcelona can't then switch back to Camp Nou until the knockout stages, yet there's hope that relations between Laporta and UEFA are good enough for the governing body to allow some wiggle room."
Barcelona enter the Champions League as one of the favourites with a complete squad and a recent semi-final run. Stadium uncertainty looms because Camp Nou has been under renovation since June 2023 despite a promised December 2024 return. Early-season home matches have been staged at the 6,000-seater Estadi Johan Cruyff. Barcelona have been drawn with Paris Saint-Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympiacos and Copenhagen, but manager Hansi Flick does not yet know where home fixtures will be hosted. UEFA requires confirmation 10–15 days before the first home match, and rules limit switching back to Camp Nou until the knockout stages.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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