Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has pledged that the Catalan giants will do everything in their power to overcome Chelsea in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
The two European heavyweights will reignite their rivalry in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Their last meeting in the Champions League came during the knockout stage of the 2017/2018 season. After a 1-1 draw in London, Barcelona secured a 3-0 victory in the return leg.
Laporta, speaking to Mundo Deportivo (via Sempre Barca), said, “In London, we have to win, which is not easy, but it’s true we have a team. I don’t know if we’ll recover any more players. Chelsea is very strong, they have a very balanced team, but we have a high level of football, and we’ll do everything to try to win.”
Barcelona have spent the past two-and-a-half seasons away from home, enduring a nomadic spell at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
However, the Catalan club returned to their permanent home on Saturday night, debuting at the newly renamed Spotify Camp Nou.
The occasion was marked by a stunning 4-0 victory over Athletic Club. Ferran Torres scored twice, while Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez also found the net.
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia helped preserve a clean sheet as Hansi Flick’s side delivered a dominant performance.
Following the match, Laporta expressed his delight at seeing Barcelona back at Camp Nou.
“It has become a reality, we are back home, and on top of that, with a great football spectacle. I’m very happy, like all Culés, we’ve reclaimed a day of joy in living, the joy of being Barça, of experiencing Barça, and we saw this in the ceremonial first kick with the oldest members.”
