Thiago Alcantara Makes Barcelona Return As Part Of Coach Hansi Flick's Staff

La Liga champions Barcelona will play their first home game of the season against Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, located at their Sant Joan Despi training facility, due to delays in the reopening of the iconic Camp Nou.

The league granted Barca an exemption from the rule that requires a first-division team to have a stadium with at least a 15,000 capacity after the renovation at Camp Nou fell nine months behind schedule.

League technicians have spent the past week inspecting the facilities at Johan Cruyff Stadium and demanding essential adjustments, including the installation of VAR cameras. Barca had hoped to return to Camp Nou with a reduced capacity of 27,000 spectators but failed to obtain the necessary permits from Barcelona City Council.

Their alternative, Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, where they have been hosting their games for the past couple of seasons with the lowest attendance in their recent history, was ruled out after a Post Malone concert left the pitch in poor condition.

Barca have two wins in their three games so far this season, with the other ending in a draw. The Blaugrana have 7 points to their name in the ongoing season.