Laporta responds to fixture chaos as Barcelona face brutal 65-hour turnaround – ‘We will show up’ | OneFootball

Barcelona president Joan Laporta briefly addressed the media as he left an event hosted by the Catalan Football Federation (FCF) to commemorate its 125th anniversary.

From inside his vehicle, Laporta reflected on the ongoing controversy surrounding Barcelona’s packed fixture schedule this week.

With less than 72 hours separating their two upcoming matches—first against Osasuna on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. and then Girona on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.—Laporta expressed his stance on the matter.

He reiterated Barcelona’s request for the 72-hour recovery period between games to be respected but also made it clear that the team would take to the field as scheduled.

His comments echoed the sentiments of midfielder Pedri, who had earlier voiced his concerns regarding the demanding fixture list.

“I say the same as Pedri, the 72 hours should be respected, but we are going to show up,” he said.

Two matches in less than 65 hours

The debate surrounding fixture congestion has gained traction, particularly following Real Madrid’s strong public statement. The Madrid-based club warned that they would refuse to play if the 72-hour rest period was not adhered to.

While Barcelona have also highlighted the issue, they are not taking such an extreme position and remain committed to fulfilling their obligations despite the tight schedule.

Barcelona’s situation stems from the rescheduling of their match against Osasuna. The fixture was originally postponed due to the sudden passing of Dr. Carles Minarro and has now been set for Thursday, March 27, at 9:00 p.m.

Unfortunately for Barcelona, their La Liga clash with Girona remains unchanged and will still take place on Sunday, March 30, at 4:15 p.m.

This results in an extremely short turnaround, as the team will have only 65 hours between the final whistle of the Osasuna match and the start of the Girona encounter.

As the situation unfolds, Barcelona will have to manage their squad carefully to avoid unnecessary fatigue and potential injuries.

The club continues to advocate for fairness in scheduling while remaining focused on performing at their best despite the challenging circumstances.