FC Barcelona back at the Spotify Camp Nou for first time in eight games
It's been a month and a half playing away from home, but FC Barcelona are now finally back at Spotify Camp Nou. The last home game for the blaugranes was on 13 December, the LaLiga matchday 16 fixture against Osasuna (2-0). Since then, Hansi Flick's side have had a long run of games either as an away side or playing at a neutral ground that has seen Barça equal a historic record.
There have been eight consecutive away games — both in domestic and European competitions — but now they are set to play in front of their fans again. Somewhat unusual circumstances in the history of FC Barcelona, as it has only happened once before in 2021.
A challenging away schedule
The run began with a victory against Guadalajara in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey (0-2), before a trip to play Villarreal in LaLiga to bring 2025 to an end (0-2). The year 2026 began against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium (0-2), before they flew to Saudi Arabia to play the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club (5-0) and final against Real Madrid (3-2), meaning of course that Flick's side won the trophy.
Barça then travelled to Santander for the last 16 Copa del Rey match against Racing (0-2), before a trip to San Sebastián for the LaLiga match against Real Sociedad (2-1). The final stop was Prague, where they won against Slavia in the Champions League (2-4).
A tough period when Barça have had to be constantly on the road and facing challenging games, but the results have been largely positive.
2021 record equalled
This run of eight consecutive away games equals the club record from 2021, the last time that FC Barcelona had been the away side or played at a neutral ground over such a spell.
The run then was from 3 and 27 January 2021 and included LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup matches. They came away from those games with six wins, one draw and one defeat: Huesca (LaLiga, 0-1), Athletic Club (LaLiga, 2-3), Granada (LaLiga, 0-4), Real Sociedad (Spanish Super Cup, 1-1), Athletic Club (Spanish Super Cup, 3-2), Cornellà (Copa del Rey, 0-2), Elche (LaLiga, 0-2) and Rayo (Copa del Rey, 1-2).
Being back at home provides a boost
The return to the Spotify Camp Nou means much more than a change of scene. Playing in front of the fans after 42 days must provide a boost to both the mindset and play on the pitch for Hansi Flick's side, who face a series of important challenges in different competitions during the second half of the season.