FC Barcelona have taken a new step towards their definitive return to the Spotify Camp Nou, after two and a half years playing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.
Indeed, according to Mundo Deportivo, the club has sent all the documentation required to apply for phase 1B of the occupancy licence to Barcelona City Council.
It would allow the reopening of the lateral stand at Camp Nou and increase the current capacity from 27,000 (Phase 1A) spectators to 45,000.
The City Council’s urban planning department will now review all the submitted documents, and in the coming days, it will carry out the necessary inspections at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Given that Barcelona’s next home match, against Athletic Club, is scheduled for Saturday, 22 November, it currently seems unlikely that the fixture will be played at the Camp Nou, meaning it would still take place at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
If no problems are found, unlike in the inspections for the 1A licence, Barcelona could host Deportivo Alaves at the Spotify Camp Nou a week later, on Saturday, 29 November.
In fact, within the club, this date is already being considered the most likely for the return home, following last Friday’s successful open training session at the stadium.
Only three days later, Barcelona would again play at home, this time against Atletico Madrid, in a rescheduled Matchday 19 fixture.
It remains to be seen whether UEFA allows Barcelona to play their remaining home games of the league phase of the Champions League at the Spotify Camp Nou post-reopening.
After all, rules stipulate that all group-stage matches are played at the same venue, with the Blaugrana using the Montjuic stadium for their home games so far.