Barcelona executives: strive to play in the Champions League group stage at Camp Nou. Yamal’s controversy is a common minor friction

Ser Radio reported that Barcelona will host Athletic Bilbao and the Camp Nou will reopen.

Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou Stadium will usher in the 13th round of the league on Saturday, November 22, against Athletic Bilbao. The Camp Nou was full for the first time since May 28, 2023, when Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0, Ansu Fati scored twice and Garvey also scored. In order to ensure that everything goes smoothly, the club held a training session on November 7 to allow fans to familiarize themselves with the venue in advance. A maximum of 45,000 spectators will be allowed into Saturday's game.

"This is currently the most important private civil engineering project in Europe." Barcelona Vice President Elena Forte commented, and regarding the issues with the city government, she said: "We have done our best to protect and ensure Barcelona's rights. This is a long, complex and intense process. The city government must act in accordance with the regulations and strictly enforced relevant regulations."

Since the project is still in progress, visiting fans will not be received for the time being? "We can return to Camp Nou, but there will be some inconveniences because of the ongoing construction."

As for ticket prices, she said: "We are adapting to the needs of football as an entertainment and experience activity, and this is the current market price."

Match ticket prices range from 199 euros to 589 euros, but club members can enjoy a 20% discount.

Regarding whether the Champions League matches will be held at the Nou Camp, Forte said that they are working hard to relax the relevant regulations: "UEFA has regulations that do not allow changing home stadiums in the group stage, but we are trying to make this regulation apply less strictly to our situation."

The next game will be against Frankfurt on December 9, and it is still uncertain whether it will be held in Montjuic or the Nou Camp.

She also mentioned the issue about Lamine Yamal and said: "These are small frictions that occasionally occur."

Finally, regarding the date of the club president's election, Forte said: "The best date should be a day that does not affect daily operations. The specific time will be decided on the board of directors." She emphasized that she will never change her position, "I have supported Laporta for half my life."

Argentinian star Messi caused a stir on social media when he visited the Camp Nou late at night with Rodrigo De Paul and security personnel. FC Barcelona was not notified in advance of this visit.

She also explained that FC Barcelona has always been at the forefront in defending its own interests and the rights of its players, because the club is the party that pays salaries. The latest controversy occurred after Lamine Yamal left the Spanish national team training camp. The Spanish Football Federation's medical team issued a statement saying that the Barcelona player needs 7 to 10 days of rest. In fact, Yamal had just undergone an invasive radiofrequency treatment to address a groin issue, without the knowledge of the national team's medical team. Regarding these disputes, club vice president Elena Ford said: "These are common things."