Barcelona suffers Spotify Camp Nou blow as comeback hopes take a hit

Barcelona’s dream of overturning a 4-0 first-leg loss to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals next Tuesday, March 3 faces a major setback. The city of Barcelona confirmed the club will not receive the 1C license in time, which would have allowed 62,000 fans in the stadium’s North Goal stands.

The club had planned to open both tiers of the North Goal for the match, aiming to maximize support for the team. As days passed, it became clear this goal was unlikely, and on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Jaume Collboni ruled it out entirely. The match will now be played in front of no more than 44,401 spectators, leaving part of the stadium empty.

Safety first, city says

“This is about safety and permits, and the experts do not consider this issue resolved. We are inflexible on that. Our relationship with Barcelona is good, but safety comes first, whether it’s the club or a hair salon,” Collboni said while unveiling a new urban plan for the La Sagrera neighborhood.

Looking ahead to Sevilla

Barcelona now hopes the 1C license can be used for the upcoming match against Sevilla, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15, coinciding with club elections. The match could be moved up to Saturday, March 14, depending on the Champions League schedule announced Friday, in case the return leg against PSG or Newcastle falls on a Tuesday.

Barça reaches out to banned fans

To compensate for the smaller crowd, Barcelona is working to create more atmosphere in the stadium. The club has reached out to fan groups that have been banned for the past year, inviting them back for this critical match.

Players remain confident

Despite the setback, several Barcelona players have expressed belief in the possibility of a comeback. “If there’s a team that can overturn this, it’s us,” said Raphinha. Eric García and Dani Olmo have also voiced confidence that the tie can still be turned around.

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