Barcelona staged an open coaching session at their new-look Nou Camp on Friday in entrance of 21,795 supporters as they edged nearer to returning to the stadium.
Barca haven’t performed at their iconic floor since 2023 – a complete of 895 days – because of a £1.25bn refurbishment, with house matches going down on the Olympic Stadium within the metropolis.
Friday’s coaching session forward of Sunday’s LaLiga match towards Celta Vigo served as a take a look at occasion earlier than the membership return for matches later this month.
It was head coach Hansi Flick’s first expertise at Nou Camp and for Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford as a Barcelona participant.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has mentioned the plan is to be again for both the LaLiga fixture towards Athletic Membership on November 22 or per week later when Flick’s aspect host Alaves, coinciding with the membership’s 126th anniversary. The membership then welcomes Atletico Madrid within the league on December 2.
The membership is ready for 2 licences that are anticipated to be permitted earlier than the top of the yr. The primary will permit them to carry 45,000 spectators, with the second making the stadium totally operational.
Barcelona presently have a licence for the stadium to carry 25,991 individuals, which was granted in October, however will wait till they’ll welcome extra followers earlier than returning formally.
Work stays ongoing on the bottom with the third tier and the roof nonetheless to be added. The primary two tiers are nearing completion and the present estimate is that the stadium might be completed in 2027, because the capability will increase till reaching 105,000.
Barcelona had hoped to return by the top of 2024 after which focused early 2025 earlier than pushing again the date to the start of this season.
They needed to play their first two video games of the season on the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff as a result of the Olympic Stadium was not accessible or able to stage matches. The membership has performed their final 5 house video games there.