Barcelona vs. Real Betis: An emotional return to La Liga at Camp Nou

La Liga returns and it returns with glances elsewhere and goosebumps. It returns just three days after terrorism struck the heart of Barcelona, Las Ramblas. If anyone wanted to forget about that, to be distracted, Camp Nou will not be the place. Barca's ground will be full of security, reminding that the city is on high alert. Without fear, but always aware because terrorism can surprise you when you least expect it. 

Barça's La Liga opener against Real Betis arrives too soon, but the world must keep on turning to demonstrate that victory is in the common people, as Orwell said through Winston Smith: "If there is hope, it lies in the proles." 

Not in those who dedicate themselves to selling guns and generating wars because of their anger. Nor in the terrorists that look to spread fear and blood with their actions. Football returns and, even though it's a business more detached from reality with each passing day, when the ball begins to move, it still transports those that enjoy it back to their childhood. It will be a night of emotions and Camp Nou will welcome the new season with a message: #TotsSomBarcelona (We are all Barcelona). 

The attacks will from the conversation before the game, until Trujillo Sanchez signals the start of the match. There will be a minute's silence, banners to remember the victims and to ask that there are no deaths due to fanaticism which has nothing to do with religion. The players will unite in the moments before for kick off and Barca's players will wear a special shirt, with the word 'Barcelona' on their backs where their surnames would normally be seen. 

NORMALITY

But the best homage to the victims, those that are still fighting to recover the routine in their lives and those that never will, is once again in the ball rolling and the players competiting as normal. Barça will need to make a big effort after what happened three days ago, to show that there's still a base to keep on winning. There's no other way about it. Keep on rowing. Real Betis will try the opposite and, among everyone, life will continue on its course because there's no sweeter victory than not feeling fear.