BARCELONA:
After three weeks on the highway to start out the La Liga season champions Barcelona play their first residence match on Sunday, though it will not be the fantastic return to the rebuilt Spotify Camp Nou that they had hoped for.
The Catalan giants will host Valencia at their 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff coaching floor stadium as they bid to maintain tempo with leaders Actual Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
Barca, fourth, are two factors behind the highest two after a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano earlier than the worldwide break during which Hansi Flick’s facet have been outplayed.
After being given permission to play away at the beginning of the season so the Camp Nou could possibly be readied, Barca’s time ran out.
They didn’t announce the venue for his or her recreation in opposition to Valencia till Tuesday, within the hopes they’d get the permits they wanted to play earlier than a reduced-capacity crowd at their revamped stadium.
With a live performance being held on the Olympic stadium — the place Barcelona have been enjoying the final two seasons throughout constructing work at Camp Nou, which is because of be accomplished in 2026 — the membership have been lowered to enjoying earlier than a tiny crowd.
Rivals Actual Madrid additionally performed at their Alfredo Di Stefano coaching floor stadium throughout renovations on the Santiago Bernabeu, nevertheless it was primarily through the 2020/21 season when followers weren’t allowed to attend due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’ll return to Camp Nou as quickly as potential, we’re actually trying ahead to returning,” stated Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Thursday.
The Catalans thumped Italian facet Como 5-0 on the Johan Cruyff stadium in August in a pleasant, which that they had additionally hoped to play on the Camp Nou, initially on account of reopen in November 2024.
Barcelona granted Valencia 290 tickets for the match, which rapidly offered out.
“We have now to adapt despite the fact that we all know that we wish to play in huge stadiums,” complained Valencia midfielder Pepelu.
“In the long run we are able to do little different than simply enjoying the sport and profitable it.”
Flick’s rampant Barcelona thrashed Valencia 7-1 on the Olympic stadium final season however Pepelu expects a better recreation on Sunday.
“We’re able to see if we are able to get an excellent end result. We have labored to appropriate issues from final yr and we’re satisfied it is going to be an excellent match,” he added.
Flick advised his Barcelona crew wanted to maintain their egos in test if they’re to succeed this season following their home treble. Enjoying on the Johan Cruyff may convey them right down to earth.
“It is vital there aren’t any egos, that kills the probabilities of success,” stated Flick, upset after the crew’s poor show in opposition to Rayo at Vallecas.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal additionally insisted Barcelona stars wanted to be focussed after getting back from worldwide responsibility.
“We didn’t begin (the season) with the depth that we completed, we made errors,” admitted Yamal.
“We’re hungry for extra, it’s a must to give us time.”
Actual Madrid go to Actual Sociedad whereas Athletic Bilbao host Alaves, each on Saturday, in a Basque Nation double-header.
Participant to look at: Julian Alvarez
Atletico Madrid are winless at the beginning of the season and their conflict in opposition to Villarreal, third, on Saturday is the proper likelihood to kick-start their season. With Antoine Griezmann lowered to a bench function, Argentina worldwide Alvarez has been handed the reins in assault and is hoping to reward Diego Simeone’s religion.
Key stats
2 – Solely Actual Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have a one hundred pc file nonetheless
5 – clear sheets saved by Actual Madrid of their final six matches away at Actual Sociedad
24.4 – Barcelona’s squad has the youngest common age
Fixtures (all occasions GMT)
Friday
Sevilla v Elche (1900)
Saturday
Getafe v Actual Oviedo (1200), Actual Sociedad v Actual Madrid (1415), Athletic Bilbao v Alaves (1630), Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (1900)
Sunday
Celta Vigo v Girona (1200), Levante v Actual Betis (1415), Osasuna v Rayo Vallecano (1630), Barcelona v Valencia (1900)
Monday
Espanyol v Mallorca (1900)
