Barcelona face Athletic Club as Camp Nou reopens after a long closure, with several players closing in on returns and one key forward doubtful.
Marcus Rashford is a question mark after missing training due to illness. “… He was out yesterday and today. There are some doubts if he is back tomorrow.” Raphinha, who has been out for more than two months with a hamstring problem, is expected to be available in some form. “I appreciate a lot what he can give the team. We will see tomorrow if 10, 15 or 20 minutes, but he’s back and it’s a big step for him to come back and be on the bench tomorrow,” Flick said.
Lamine Yamal is recovering well and should feature after missing Spain’s final World Cup qualifiers. Joan García is also fit to return in goal after a meniscus tear, his first match since Sept. 25. Pedri is being eased back and may rejoin the team for the Champions League tie with Chelsea. Gavi remains out until early 2026, and Frenkie de Jong is suspended for the upcoming match after two bookings.
The match will mark Barcelona’s first game at Camp Nou in 909 days. The club expected to reopen earlier, but delays pushed the date back. Phase 1A and 1B licensing currently allow about 45,401 fans, well below the stadium’s final planned capacity. Barcelona ran a public training session with 23,000 supporters as a test event.
Flick said the return of fans can give the team a boost. “It’s a football stadium and this is what we love, so of course we are all happy to be back in out stadium. It can give us a really big push in the match because it’s very close and the fans know when the team needs this push,” he added.
The final decision on hosting a Champions League match at Camp Nou still needs UEFA approval, and a city council meeting to confirm licensing was delayed, leaving the exact return date uncertain. If the Athletic Club fixture cannot move back to Camp Nou, Barcelona could still make Alavés the homecoming match one week later.
As the stadium reopens, Flick hopes a near‑full squad and the crowd at Camp Nou will lift the team at a key moment in the season.
Leave a comment