Barcelona Faces Dreaded Milestone That Could Shatter Club Records This Weekend
Barcelona will establish an undesirable La Liga milestone this weekend as they face Valencia following their return from the September international fixtures.
The Catalan giants will make their comeback on Sunday as they look to bounce back from their initial stumble of the season prior to the international window. Hansi Flick's team secured a 1–1 draw away against Rayo Vallecano and currently trail championship contenders Real Madrid by two points.
They host Valencia in Catalonia for their inaugural home fixture of the campaign on Sunday, taking place at the Johan Cruyff Stadium while Barça awaits the reopening of Camp Nou. This venue typically serves as home for Barcelona Femení and Barcelona Atlètic.
Barça will create history by playing at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, with the 6,000-capacity ground becoming the smallest venue to stage a La Liga match this century, according to SPORT—considering only games that could accommodate full attendance.
The existing record belongs to Eibar's Ipurúa Municipal Stadium, which welcomed just 6,267 spectators during their La Liga debut in the 2014–15 season.
Barcelona had anticipated having Camp Nou prepared for the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como during preseason, but their return was postponed until the start of the La Liga campaign. Nevertheless, another delay means they continue to await their return to the renovated stadium.
When Will Camp Nou Be Finished?
Barça are anxious to make their Camp Nou return at the earliest opportunity, but the club's vice president of institutional affairs, Elena Fort, has disclosed that no definitive date can be confirmed for the homecoming currently.
"We will attempt to achieve this as quickly as possible. Everything follows a comprehensive procedure and regulations. We are in the concluding phases," Fort informed RAC1 when questioned about potential returns against Getafe or Real Sociedad before September ends. "I cannot confirm any specific date at this time; we are in the final phases.
"The stadium is essentially complete, it's absolutely stunning. What's finished, the first and second levels, cannot be observed from the street. We toured it recently and were moved to tears seeing how spectacular it will appear.
"We haven't reached completion, but it was worthwhile waiting and persevering until the final moment."
Barcelona will be keen to inaugurate Camp Nou before their opening Champions League home encounter of the season, which features defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.