FC Barcelona wykluczyła Montjuic i Montilivi jako miejsce rozpoczęcia rozgrywek La Liga, a w związku z brakiem pozwolenia na otwarcie Camp Nou, wybrała siedzibę swojej drużyny rezerwowej. La Liga dokonała już inspekcji obiektu, ale problemem może być niewystarczająca pojemność stadionu Estadi Johan Cruyff.

FC Barcelona moves to the stadium of FC Barcelona B

This Wednesday witnessed a last-minute turnaround. Given the continuous delays at the Camp Nou construction site and despite the fact that Estadi Johan Cruyff does not comply with La Liga regulations, FC Barcelona have asked to play the match against Valencia on 14 September precisely there - at the reserves’ homeground. In fact, this morning we saw representatives of La Liga inspecting the facilities.

What became clear is that the stadium has an insufficient capacity of just 6,000 spectators, far from the 15,000 specified in the competition regulations. Although in recent years La Liga made several exceptions regarding capacity, none were so big. Rayo's stadium has 14,708 seats and Girona's has 14,624. In past seasons there were more similar cases: in Butarque there were 1,990 seats missing to reach 15,000, in El Alcoraz 5,900, and in Ipurua, 6,950. In the case of the Estadi Johan Cruyff there are 9,000 missing.

It would also be necessary to install the VAR and, probably, to adapt the VIP and press areas. It all depends now on negotiations with La Liga authorities and whether the Camp Nou can be opened on time after all.

© Wilnel José Verdú Guerrero | Estadi Johan Cruyff was inaugurated in 2019 and replaced the famous MiniEstadi.

Montjuic and Montilivi ruled out

Choosing the ground used by the second team and the women's section means that the club ruled out playing at Montilivi (Girona) and all the schedule changes required to play at Montjuïc proved impossible. Earlier, the Catalan team had ruled out playing at the Camp Nou behind closed doors, and La Liga denied a request to change the fixture order against Valencia to play at Mestalla on September 14.

The option of having the Tribuna and Gol Norte stands at Camp Nou ready for the 4th La Liga matchday still stands, but it is looking increasingly unlikely and the morning inspection at the Johan Cruyff proves it. In the absence of an official announcement, it looks like the return to the Camp Nou will be delayed yet again.

© Enric | Estadi Johan Cruyff is located in the FC Barcelona training complex.