FC Barcelona is going through a delicate situation on many fronts, and one of them is the atmosphere at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Since the closure of the Supporters' Stand, home matches have become a cold spectacle with hardly any support.
The decision by Joan Laporta's board to deactivate the stand has caused discontent among the squad. They feel that the team has lost a key element in their home matches. Without the encouragement of these fans, Montjuïc has become an almost silent stadium, far from the atmosphere of the old Camp Nou.
The Conflict with the Supporters' Stand
The Supporters' Stand was made up of about 600 fans who were responsible for keeping the spirit up during Barça's matches. However, the relationship between the club and these fans deteriorated over time.
The turning point came when La Liga imposed a fine of 21,000 euros on FC Barcelona for chants from the stand. Laporta communicated that if the fans didn't pay the sanction, they wouldn't be able to return to the stadium.
Faced with the fans' refusal to assume the payment, the club chose to disable the stand. Leaving the team without its noisiest core of support. Since then, Montjuïc has been dominated by tourists and occasional fans, which has affected the atmosphere at the matches.
One of the main fears in the locker room is that in important matches, the team won't have the support of their fans. In Champions League matches, for example, the absence of a strong stand that makes a difference has been noticed.
For the match against Benfica, the arrival of 3,000 Portuguese fans is expected, which could turn the stadium into a neutral or even favorable field for the rival. This situation worries both the players and the coaching staff, who feel that the home advantage has been completely lost.
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Raphinha Takes the Initiative
Barça's squad is aware of the importance of having a stand that supports the team. So much so that some players have tried to mediate with the club to find a solution.
One of the most committed to the cause has been Raphinha. Who has even offered to pay the 21,000 euros fine out of his own pocket to regain the support.
The Brazilian has made it clear that if the club doesn't assume the payment, he will do it personally. His gesture has been received with surprise in the locker room but reflects the players' commitment to the fans and the importance they place on public support.
Laporta Seeks an Alternative Solution
Despite the pressure from the locker room, Barça's board remains firm in its decision not to recover the old Supporters' Stand. Instead, the club has launched a new project. Leaving the matter in the hands of a company specialized in "animation, mediation, and participation".
The goal of this initiative is to find a new formula to fill Montjuïc with atmosphere without relying on the old supporters' groups. However, this process will take time, and meanwhile, the team will continue playing in a soulless stadium.
Barça's squad feels that the situation must be solved as soon as possible. They are used to playing in hostile environments on the road but don't understand why they must also feel like visitors in their own stadium.
Raphinha has taken the first step, but now the ball is in the board's court. The question is whether Laporta will accept the help or continue with his plan to reinvent the stand without counting on the fans who were Barça's voice.