Watch: UEFA officials visit Spotify Camp Nou for inspection | OneFootball

UEFA officials visited the Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday morning to review the progress of renovation works, as Barcelona continue to push for an early return to their iconic home, reports Jijantes.

It must be remembered that the Blaugrana are running against the clock, with the club needing the first occupancy permit from the City Council by August 28 to be able to welcome fans back.

At present, however, Barcelona still do not have the Official Certificate of Works, which makes the target almost impossible to meet. The urgency is clear, as the club is set to begin their Champions League campaign between September 16 and 18.

Running against the clock

UEFA rules state that all group-stage games must be played in the same stadium, unlike La Liga, where flexibility is possible.

The first domestic test comes even earlier, with Valencia scheduled as Barcelona’s first home opponent on September 13 or 14. The club is already evaluating alternatives.

Options include playing at the Johan Cruyff Stadium or returning temporarily to Montjuic, though complications arise as a Post Malone concert is booked at Montjuïc just two days before the match.

Partial opening possible

UEFA’s visit was designed to assess whether Camp Nou could be used, even in a limited capacity. A partial reopening for around 30,000 spectators is being considered, with capacity gradually increasing as work continues.

However, UEFA also require certain standards to be met, such as covered areas for the press, VIPs, and directors’ box. This presents a serious challenge since the stadium roof is not scheduled to be finished until summer 2027.

For now, the situation looks extremely difficult despite the non-stop work from Limak and Barcelona’s determination.

The reopening of Camp Nou is not just about footballing pride but also about finances. Playing at Montjuic has cost the club heavily, and moving back to their home ground would immediately boost revenues.