{"id":14719,"date":"2025-11-21T21:22:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T21:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/21\/rafinha-and-goalkeeper-joao-garcia-deserve-barcelonas-return-to-camp-nou\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T21:22:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T21:22:23","slug":"rafinha-and-goalkeeper-joao-garcia-deserve-barcelonas-return-to-camp-nou","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/21\/rafinha-and-goalkeeper-joao-garcia-deserve-barcelonas-return-to-camp-nou\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafinha and goalkeeper Joao Garcia deserve Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) \u2014 Rafinha and goalkeeper Joao Garcia returned from injury in time to start the game. Barcelona’s first match at Camp Nou<\/span> Over 2 years.<\/p>\n

Manager Hansi Flick said Garc\u00eda would start against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, while Rafinha would start on the bench.<\/p>\n

Barcelona will be aiming for a win to maintain their pace in La Liga before heading to London to face Chelsea in the Champions League next week.<\/p>\n

Barcelona are trailing leaders Real Madrid by three points, and Xabi Alonso’s side will visit Elche on Sunday to enter round 13.<\/p>\n

key match<\/h2>\n

As well as seeing how the still-renovated Camp Nou holds up for the first game, this weekend’s best action could happen in southern Spain.<\/p>\n

Elche have been the surprise package of the Spanish league this season. Recently promoted Elche have a modest team, losing only three of their 12 games, but are in 11th place.<\/p>\n

Third-placed Villarreal host Mallorca on Saturday, two points behind Barcelona. Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid will play Getafe on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Featured players<\/h2>\n

Rafinha and Garcia missed almost 2 months<\/span> Due to a leg injury, his performance level will be a focus.<\/p>\n

Flick said there is a possibility that injured midfielder Pedri Gonz\u00e1lez will recover. Left thigh muscle tear<\/span> In time for Tuesday’s trip to Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 has returned to Madrid training for the first time in a week. France missed an insignificant match<\/span> Due to inflammation of the right ankle. A video posted by Madrid showed Mbapp\u00e9 running at full speed and scoring a goal during Friday’s training session.<\/p>\n

Activity suspended<\/h2>\n

Eder Milit\u00e3o missed the match against Madrid after sustaining a left thigh injury while playing for Brazil during last week’s international break. He joins Madrid’s injured list along with fellow first-choice central defender Antonio Rudiger.<\/p>\n

Barcelona will be without suspended midfielder Frenkie de Jong. With Pedri also absent, Flick could use Dani Olmo and Fermin L\u00f3pez in addition to Marc Casado in midfield.<\/p>\n

off the field<\/h2>\n

Barcelona’s last match at Camp Nou was in May 2023 before it was closed for renovations. During that time, Barcelona has primarily played matches at the city’s 55,000-seat Olympic Stadium.<\/p>\n

Camp Nou will only be partially open on Saturday, with a seating capacity of 45,401, about half its capacity before the closure. Once completed, the new Camp Nou will host 105,000 fans.<\/p>\n

Flick said on Friday: “We are happy and we hope that with the supporters being so close we will have an added advantage.” “They always help us. It’s great to see the bond between the team and the fans.”<\/p>\n

More than 20,000 fans attended the game earlier this month. Barcelona’s first training session<\/span> I returned to Camp Nou.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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