Barcelona’s men’s team have started the new campaign in encouraging fashion, keeping pace with the top of La Liga while bedding in their summer signings.
Hansi Flick’s side have shown flashes of the attacking fluency the club’s supporters crave, and a vital Champions League group win last week has eased early-season pressure.
The focus now turns to their upcoming clash with Real Oviedo, a game that should allow some rotation before the crunch tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, the injury situation is slowly improving, with several key players nearing a return to full fitness.
Fans remain particularly eager for the comeback of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who continues to recover from his back issue.
Ahead of the Ballon d’Or gala, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was in cheerful form as he celebrated a strong contingent of nominees on both the men’s and women’s sides, headlined by Lamine Yamal and Aitana Bonmati.
However, he was less certain on Barcelona’s very own back pain, the construction of Camp Nou.
After missing a number of deadlines set by the club to return to their stadium, Laporta did not give a concrete date to return to their stadium.
“We’re working on it. We depend on what the City Council says.
“But we’ve done the work: we have the final construction certificate, the construction control certificate, the fire department report, the environmental report… LaLiga and UEFA have said the pitch is ready to play, and we’re waiting for the first occupancy license.”
“These are processes that have to be carried out, and we don’t want to put more pressure on it than necessary, but there comes a time when this is very close.
“We’ll see what the City Council officials say after the visits they’ve made.
“We’re prepared for anything because all of the actions they have asked of us, we have carried out.”
Barcelona are next in action against Real Oviedo, which if Laporta is to be believed, will be their last without Lamine Yamal.
Following that, they host Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain and then travel to Sevilla before the international break, but Flick will no doubt be desperate to have Lamine Yamal available for their clash with PSG.
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