Barcelona vs Real Sociedad likely to be played at Estadi Johan Cruyff – report | OneFootball

Delays in the renovation of the Spotify Camp Nou are forcing FC Barcelona to start the season without a fixed ‘home’.

La Liga accepted that the team would play their first three matches away, with the aim of returning to the stadium after the first international break.

The second break is now approaching and, as of yet, there is still no confirmation regarding the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou.

So far, the two home matches played this season have been hosted at Estadi Johan Cruyff, the usual home ground of Barça Atletic and the women’s first team.

With one week to go before Barcelona’s next home match against Real Sociedad on 28 September, the venue has still not been chosen.

One more game at Estadi Johan Cruyff

Now, according to SPORT, there is a strong likelihood that Barcelona will end up hosting Real Sociedad at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Barça have until Tuesday as the deadline to inform La Liga of the stadium for this match, the same day they are scheduled to meet with the City Council to address the situation.

Estadi Lluis Companys in Montjuic, where the PSG game will be played on 1 October, had emerged as the likeliest option to host Sociedad as well. However, the option seems to be ruled out for security and logistical reasons.

One more game at Estadi Johan Cruyff? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

On the same day, the piromusical of La Merce will take place at the Montjuic fountains. Although La Liga moved the match to 18:30, the authorities have informed Barcelona that all access points will be closed from 20:00.

Meanwhile, work continues at the stadium: laying the pitch, completing the installation of the dugouts, goals, turnstiles, replacing some seats, and reinstalling the VAR system. All this is being carried out against the clock, but not quickly enough to be ready for Sunday.

As for Camp Nou, Barcelona have still not received all the required documentation for the Final Works Certificate, meaning it does not appear to be an option for this Sunday’s match against Real Sociedad.

One last time at Estadi Cruyff?

As things stand, all signs point to Estadi Johan Cruyff hosting the match against Real Sociedad. On this occasion, however, it seems likely to be the last time Barça will have to turn to the stadium.

After all, their next home match – not counting the Champions League fixture vs PSG – will be on Saturday, 18 October, against Girona. By then, the expectation is that the team will finally return to the Spotify Camp Nou.