After the City Council did not grant FC Barcelona the First Occupation License last July to return to the Spotify Camp Nou for the match for the Joan Gamper Trophy, the club began to consider the possibility of having to play the first part of the season at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
In this sense, given the need for a plan B, in case it is not possible to return to the Blaugrana stronghold for the start of the UEFA Champions League as well, the institution has already reached an agreement with Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM) to use the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium until the end of February, according to 'Mundo Deportivo'.
This agreement guarantees the celebration of the four home matches corresponding to the league phase in the highest European competition, thus complying with the regulations that require all matches to be played in the same stadium.
In addition, the agreement contemplates the possibility of hosting the playoff, in case the Azulgrana team finishes between the 9th and 24th positions in the standings.
Barça, awaiting the Final Construction Certificate
In this context, the Azulgrana team aims to return to the Cule temple for matchday 4 of LaLiga, which will be against Valencia CF, between September 13 and 14. There is also talk of the possibility that the match will be played behind closed doors.
However, for now the club is eagerly awaiting obtaining the Certificate of Completion of Work, an essential requirement for the City Council to grant the First Occupation License for the new stadium.
Thus, in the midst of this process, representatives of the employers inspected the works last Tuesday, while this Thursday it will be the turn of the UEFA delegates.
It should be remembered that, unlike the Champions League, Barça cannot face the first home match of LaLiga in Montjuïc, since on the 12th the American artist Post Malone will give a concert at the venue, which would not be in conditions to host the commitment. Therefore, the match against Valencia is not contemplated in the agreement with BSM.
Barcelona asks UEFA to play as visitors until the second matchday of the Champions League
In this argumentative order, considering the home debut in the Champions League, Barça, apparently, has asked UEFA to play its first match as a visitor on September 16, 17 or 18, postponing its home debut until the second matchday, scheduled for September 30 or October 1.
Although the European body does not usually grant this type of adjustments, optimism reigns in the environment of the Catalan club. The definitive calendar of the league phase will not be known until Saturday, August 30, two days after the draw that will be held in Monte Carlo.
The next few days will be crucial for the possible return to Spotify Camp Nou. However, if it is not achieved, the club already has the Montjuïc option to avoid major setbacks.
The phased reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou, conditioned by UEFA
It should be remembered that the reopening of the Camp Nou will be carried out progressively, following a phased plan. The first stage, called phase 1A, contemplates a capacity limited to 27,000 spectators, with access only to the Tribune and Gol Sud areas.
However, this configuration does not meet UEFA requirements, which requires the presence of the public also on the Lateral for television production reasons.
This area will be enabled in phase 1B, when the capacity will be expanded to 45,000 attendees. Finally, the Gol Nord will be reserved for phase 1C, planned in a later stage.
The workers work 24 hours a day for 6 days a week. With this, the club seeks to accelerate the progress of the works to avoid more obstacles and facilitate the return.