StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

REOPENING AND WIN: HANSI FLICK CALLS BARCELONA RETURN TO CAMP NOU A PERFECT DAY

Hansi Flick hailed a "perfect day" as Barcelona marked their Camp Nou return with a 4-0 win over Athletic Club, sending them top of La Liga. The German coach fulfilled a dream to manage at the iconic stadium.

Reopening And Win: Hansi Flick Calls Barcelona Return To Camp Nou A Perfect Day
Flick Hails Win And Camp Nou Return

The FC Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, felt just like Lou Reed, calling it a 'perfect day' after his team happily returned to their Camp Nou stadium. To celebrate going back, the team easily won against Athletic Club with a score of 4-0, putting them in first place in La Liga.

Flick had already visited the famous stadium when he managed a team from a lower level, because Nike gave him tickets for selling so many of their sneakers.

While sitting in the stands of the Catalan stadium, the German told himself he would someday sit on the home team's bench, a wish that came true now that Barca reopened a Camp Nou that was partly finished and fixed up for the first time since the spring of 2023.

“For me, the practice we had ten days ago also felt amazing, especially when I walked onto the field and saw all the fans. I had been here before, and I promised myself that one day I wanted to be sitting here on this bench, and it feels like my dream is really happening,” Flick said.

“If you really try and always believe, you can achieve anything. We just need to keep working hard, always remember our good qualities and strengths, and work well together as a team.”

Talking about the game itself, Flick said it was a special time “for everyone.”

“Being back here, inside the stadium, made me feel something I can't even describe. Also, we won and got three points, which was hard, especially in the first half. But we didn't let them score any goals, and everything went well. Four goals and three points made it a perfect day for us,” he said happily.

Flick said that even though he respects Athletic Club, he was “very happy with how we played”.

“Everything went well, and the players showed they worked great together. I am definitely happy, and all my coaches feel the same way about being in this stadium. We need to be patient and get better slowly. We are happy to be back home. I am very positive and we are completely focused, trying to do our best,” the manager also said.

FC Barcelona fans don't need to worry about Balde.
Because the left back was taken out of the game at halftime because of a head injury, Flick told the fans that Alejandro Balde is okay.

“He is fine. We decided to take him out just to be careful, because it happened right before halftime,” Flick explained.

After winning and getting back to first place in La Liga before Real Madrid played, FC Barcelona is going to play against Chelsea away from home in the Champions League on Tuesday.

OFFICIAL DECISION: BARCELONA INFORM MARCUS RASHFORD THEY WANT HIM TO STAY AT CAMP NOU

Barcelona plan to keep Marcus Rashford permanently despite financial hurdles. See the latest on his £26m clause and United future.

top-news
Will Marcus Rashford start the El Clásico final against Real Madrid?

Barcelona really do want to keep Marcus Rashford, but they’re not so sure about paying the full £26 million buyout clause in his loan deal from Manchester United.

It’s only been a little over a year since Rashford last played for United. After that, Ruben Amorim pushed him out of the first team. Rashford bounced back with a solid loan spell at Aston Villa, then landed at Barcelona last summer on a season-long deal. The club got an option to make it permanent.

So far, this move feels like a win for everyone. Rashford has scored seven goals and set up 11 more in 26 games, and Barcelona is sitting four points clear at the top of La Liga. He looks like a new man—sharper, more driven—and now he’s a big piece for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad heading into the World Cup.

There’s still been some debate about whether Barcelona will lock him down for good, since he hasn’t totally nailed down a starting spot. Just this week, he started on the bench for their Super Cup semi-final win over Athletic Club.

Now, with El Clásico against Real Madrid in the Super Cup final coming up on Sunday, a lot of eyes are on Rashford to see how much he’ll feature.

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim got sacked last Monday, which could open the door for guys like Rashford and Jadon Sancho to return to United. But according to The Athletic, United doesn’t plan to bring them back. Barcelona, on the other hand, has decided they want Rashford to stick around at Camp Nou after this season.

Still, Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona isn’t exactly rushing to trigger that buyout clause, and any final call probably won’t come until closer to the summer. Their finances play a big part in this—plus, Rashford’s £350,000-a-week salary, which Barcelona is currently covering in full.

The £26 million fee already looks like a bargain for a player of Rashford’s ability, and with the way he’s been playing, United aren’t likely to settle for less.

Either way, Rashford seems happy in Spain. He’s made it clear he wants to stay, and there are even rumours he’s hoping to link up again with ex-United teammate Kobbie Mainoo.

OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION: LA LIGA CLEARS BARCELONA TO SIGN A REPLACEMENT FOR INJURED ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN

Barcelona finalises Joao Cancelo’s return as La Liga approves injury cover. See how Deco used Andreas Christensen’s salary for the signing.

top-news
What’s next for Andreas Christensen?

Mundo Deportivo reports that La Liga’s Medical Commission has officially recognised Andreas Christensen’s long-term injury. That means the Danish defender will miss about five months.

With that confirmation, Barcelona can now use 80% of Christensen’s salary margin under Financial Fair Play to bring in a replacement.

While the club hasn’t made it official yet, Joao Cancelo is set to fill that gap. He’s currently at Al-Hilal, but all signs point to him heading back to Barcelona.

Christensen tore his left ACL during a training session at the end of 2025. As soon as they got the bad news and realised he’d be out for months, Barça started looking for someone who could step in.

Finding a new centre-back during the January window is tough—Deco said as much. So, they turned to Cancelo, the Portuguese full-back, as the best option available.

Cancelo wants to come back. He played for Barcelona in the 2023/24 season and is keen to return. Everything’s lined up for his move, and the club expects to wrap up the signing next week, once the team gets back from Saudi Arabia.

Now that La Liga has cleared Christensen’s injury status, there shouldn’t be any problem registering Cancelo after the transfer goes through.

He’s coming in on a simple loan—no buy option for now. Even so, Cancelo hopes to stick around beyond this season.

Deco explained why they went for Cancelo over another centre-back: “We’re getting Ronald back, and the coach already said that gives us another centre-back. Cancelo means Eric doesn’t have to play as a fullback so much, which isn’t really his spot. Plus, Kounde can move inside if we need. It gives us options we just didn’t have before.”

As for Christensen, it’s unlikely he’ll play again this season. Still, Barcelona has decided to give him a one-year extension, since his contract ends this summer.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News