Barcelona are reportedly trying to find a new stadium to play Champions League home matches for the rest of this season.
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Camp Nou re-opening delayedBarca playing at Olympic StadiumNeed new ground for UCL gamesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Barca have been playing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys while their £1.25 billion Camp Nou renovation project continues. However, that project keeps getting delayed and reports their current ground is not available for European games towards the end of the campaign due to 'commitments' the City Council has with the stadium. With Camp Nou potentially not ready until next season, Valencia and Atletico Madrid's grounds are reportedly being considered as alternatives.
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The report adds if Barca do not finish in the top eight of the Champions League group phase, which secures an automatic passage into the last 16, they will have to sort out their stadium plans before the play-off draw on January 31. Camp Nou will not be ready for those matches on February 11 and 18 so the onus is on Hansi Flick's team to finish in the top eight. They are in a strong position to do so as they sit second behind leaders Liverpool after six games.
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If Barca make the top eight, they will reportedly have more time to find a venue. states they must have a stadium selected before February 21, with the last 16 rounds scheduled for March 4 and 11.
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One of Barca's options is reportedly the stadium of local rivals Espanyol, which holds 40,000 people, but there is reluctance to play at the Cornella. Valencia's Mestalla – which has a capacity of just under 50,000 – is being considered, as is Atletico's Metropolitano; which holds 70,000. An anxious wait lies ahead for the Blaugrana.
