Featured Image Credit: Michael Regan - UEFA / Contributor via Getty
Topics: Barcelona, Champions League, Football, Marcus Rashford, UEFA
James Taylor
Topics: Barcelona, Champions League, Football, Marcus Rashford, UEFA
Barcelona have been deal a Champions League blow despite Marcus Rashford's impressive brace in their opening game.
The Catalan giants started their European campaign with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at a lively St James' Park. But it was the on loan Manchester United star who stole the headlines, with a first breaking the deadlock with a smart header, before doubling the lead with a thunderous strike.
It was an great start for Barcelona, who now face reigning champions PSG in their next Champions League match. However, the club have suffered a major setback ahead of that clash, announcing it will not take place at the Spotify Camp Nou.
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Instead, the game will take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Barcelona had originally targeted a return to Camp Nou by November 2024, but delays in obtaining the 'necessary administrative permits' have caused the delay.
The Olympic Stadium is no stranger to Barcelona fans as they have played there for the last two years.
But its 55,926 capacity is just over half of the new Spotify Camp Nou, which is expected to hold 105,000 supporters.
For Barcelona the new stadium will be a huge inconvenience, weakening the atmosphere, while also reducing the matchday venue from a huge clash.
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The news has not been well received by supporters, who voiced frustration on social media at the club's latest issue. Although they won a domestic treble last season, Barcelona have been plagued by off-the-field issues in recent years.
The club's debt has reached €1.35 billion and they have struggled to register new players.
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New signings Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia were registered with La Liga just before their opening game. On Reddit, @KakaTuEsNul wrote: "I don't understand how such a big club can be so badly managed."
Another, @Lopsided-Mix4613 added: "They can't even register their stadium."
And @BartholomewSirnpson jokingly replied: "Maybe they need to pay for Spotify Premium before they can use their stadium?"
For many fans, the reduced capacity is another frustrating setback for the club. Barcelona have already spent the past two seasons playing home matches at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
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However, their first two La Liga games this campaign have been held at the 6,000 capacity Estadi John Cruyff, which usually hosts the women's team.
That venue does not meet UEFA'S requirements for a Champions League venue, so the team will return to Montjuic.
A club statement read: “The Club continues to work intensively to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening of Spotify Camp Nou in the near future.
"FC Barcelona thanks its members and fans for their understanding and support during such a complex and exciting process as the return to the new Spotify Camp Nou.”