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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Ben Hayward

Real Madrid could leave Bernabeu to finish season at 6,000-seater Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium to step up rebuild

Work is underway at the Bernabeu during the lockdown. (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Real Madrid could be set to finish the season at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium at their training ground in Valdebebas as works continue to renovate their Santiago Bernabeu home.

With LaLiga currently suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus lockdown, Los Blancos are stepping up construction work on the Bernabeu after restrictions on "non-essential jobs" were lifted by the Spanish government last week.

Both the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga remain committed to finishing the competition, in which Madrid are currently two points behind leaders Barcelona with 27 rounds played, and Real have asked for permission to play their remaining games at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.

The 13-time European champions believe they can complete the renovations - which will include a spectacular retractable roof - earlier than the original 2022 deadline and also more cheaply without constant interruptions to play home fixtures throughout the summer.

Standard Sport understands LaLiga have agreed in principle to the club's request for the outstanding fixtures against Eibar, Valencia, Mallorca, Getafe, Alaves and Villarreal to be played at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

Madrid could also have up to two more home games in the Champions League, but would have to overcome Manchester City in the last 16 first after losing the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu in February.

The Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano is located at Madrid's training complex in Valdebebas and was opened in 2006. It is currently home to Real's youth team, Castilla, and has a capacity of 6,000.

One change which will be needed is the installation of VAR cameras and facilities at the smaller stadium, with the technology not used for Segunda B games featuring Castilla, but Madrid are confident those adaptations can be made with relative ease.

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