'We still don't know where we'll play' - Camp Nou debacle annoys Valencia star as Barcelona await final decision ahead of first La Liga home game

Barcelona are still waiting on clearance to reopen part of the Camp Nou ahead of their first La Liga home match of the season, with the final decision expected after an inspection by the city council. If approval is denied, the fixture will be relocated to the much smaller Estadi Johan Cruyff. The uncertainty has caused frustration for players and fans alike, with Valencia forward Lopez, who came through La Masia before joining Los Che in 2021, questioning why the issue has not yet been resolved just days before the clash.

The saga has left the Catalan giants scrambling for answers. The partially reopened Camp Nou would host around 27,000 supporters, while a switch to the Estadi Johan Cruyff would reduce that figure to just 6,000. Such a drastic cut would create a ticketing nightmare for fans and generate a subdued atmosphere for what should be one of the season’s marquee fixtures. For Valencia, the uncertainty adds a layer of distraction before a high-profile encounter. The 23-year-old, who renewed with the club until 2029, will be returning to face his former side after suffering heavy defeats to Barca last season.

In an interview with AS, Lopez did not hide his frustration at the situation, and said: “I find it incredible that five days before the game, we still don’t know where the game will be played. It’s a situation that should have been resolved long ago by the team and our fans. Let’s see if it’s resolved during the day.”

Barcelona City Council are set to carry out their final inspection on Tuesday afternoon, with an announcement on the venue expected shortly after. If Camp Nou fails to meet requirements for its partial reopening, the fixture will be moved to the stadium that hosts their women's and youth team fixtures, leaving thousands of ticket holders disappointed.