Barcelona fans – and the football world in general – have been left frustrated by the prolonged wait for the renovation works at Camp Nou to be completed.
Return dates have previously been put back and left the La Liga champions playing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium for the large part of their absence from their iconic ground.
However, there are positive signs that the Catalan giants will soon be able to play a competitive match at Camp Nou, albeit with a reduced capacity.
As it stands, there are tentative plans for Barcelona to play host to Athletic Bilbao at the stadium on November 22, providing that they receive the necessary paperwork to do so.
With a public training session having been held at the stadium this week, president Joan Laporta has taken the opportunity to provide fans with an update on their efforts to start playing games at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Laporta provides Spotify Camp Nou update
In an interview quoted by Catalunya Radio, Laporta said: “We’ll play in the Camp Nou as soon as possible. The stadium is ready to play with a 27,000 capacity.”
At the present time, Barcelona are also looking to secure license 1B, which would allow them to open up further areas of the stadium and advance to a capacity in the region of 45,000.
Laporta also addressed the club's hopes for returning to full capacity in the long term, adding: “The Camp Nou works are progressing at a very good pace.
“If there are no surprises, the third tiers will be operational at the start of next season, just like the VIP boxes, which are of great importance in refinancing the stadium.”
Laporta reveals Flick reaction to Camp Nou arrival
Being Barcelona head coach away from Camp Nou cannot have been the same for Hansi Flick, despite the success that he has already brought the club.
Speaking to the same outlet, Laporta revealed Flick's reaction to walking out at the ground, saying: “Hansi Flick had chills when he entered the new Camp Nou. The players were freaking out too.”
FGG says: Finally time for Camp Nou optimism
Barcelona will remain sceptical about finally getting to experience the renovated Camp Nou given the previous false starts.
However, in this instance, it feels like full systems go at a time when they reduced the deficit to La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points last weekend.
Even with a reduced capacity, Barcelona need to return home, and it may set the wheels in motion to a sustained period of better fortunes both on and off the pitch.