BARCELONA face a mega 10,000-mile round-trip just days before Christmas after a stunning fixture change.
The LaLiga giants will jet off to Miami, USA and face Villarreal in a landmark league game on December 21.
Barcelona will play their LaLiga fixture against Villarreal in Miami, USA[/caption]
Marcus Rashford and co will have a 10,000-mile round trip[/caption]
Marcus Rashford and his team-mates will now have to factor in two near 5,000-mile flights into their match preparations.
The direct distance from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Florida is roughly 4,700miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
The fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in the American city – the first LaLiga game to be played on foreign soil.
The match comes a week after Hansi Flick‘s side’s closest game, which is also in LaLiga but against Osasuna.
Fortunately, the players will not have a game until January 4, which will allow for recovery time after making the mega journey.
That fixture will be away at the RCDE Stadium to face Catalan rivals Espanyol in LaLiga.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes that the controversial game is a good thing as it will allow the club to connect with international fans.
He said: “We are looking forward to reconnecting with all our fans in the United States and are grateful to LaLiga for the opportunity to get closer to one of the club’s key strategic markets.
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“We have been visiting the country for many years and have always felt the passion that FC Barcelona inspires.
“As a global club with millions of supporters around the world, this opportunity strengthens our commitment to our international fan base – especially in a key market like the U.S.
“An official match in a city like Miami, with such a strong Barca community, will undoubtedly be a great spectacle featuring two teams competing at the highest level.”
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has also labelled the game as a “historic step” that will benefit Spanish football.
He attempted to calm domestic fan fears that it could become a more regular occurrence in the LaLiga calendar.
His statement: “This match is a historic step that takes LaLiga and Spanish football to an all-new level.
The match is almost 5,000 miles from the Camp Nou[/caption]
“We understand and respect the concerns this decision may raise, but it is important to put it in context: this is one game out of the 380 that make up the season.
“LaLiga represents millions of fans around the world, including many who follow their teams passionately and deserve the chance to experience seeing them live at least once.
“This match is about bringing our football closer to that global fan-base without diminishing our commitment to those who enjoy it week in, week out in stadiums across Spain.”
Villarreal president Fernando Roig insisted that the club will be making “concrete measures” to compensate season ticket holders.
The match was due to be played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica, which means those with tickets to the match could miss out due to the venue change.
The Yellow Submarine have 19,500 season-ticket holders who regularly fill most of their 23,500-capacity home ground.
The switch to the Hard Rock Stadium will see the potential attendance jump to the stadium’s 65,326-capacity.
This is an increase of 41,826 people, which could potentially TRIPLE the gate receipts.
Joan Laporta wants the club to reach international fans[/caption]
Javier Tebas realised some of the concerns from fans[/caption]
Roig added: “This is a unique opportunity for Villarreal CF to further its growth and strengthen its presence in a market as significant as the United States.
“With this initiative, we can reach fans in other parts of the world and continue to expand both the club’s and LaLiga’s brand.
“We know that playing this game away from home will impact on our season-ticket holders, which is why we are implementing meaningful, concrete measures to compensate them.
“We are confident it will be a great experience.”
