Barça worried about time of match against Atlético de Madrid on Sant Jordi 

The next FC Barcelona La Liga football game will be crucial for the team to remain on top of the table, but if the game continues as scheduled for Sunday, April 23, it could leave fans choosing between the sport and one of the most beautiful days of the year for the Catalans, Sant Jordi.

Sant Jordi is Catalonia's Valentine's Day, even though some Catalans will even say that they cannot be compared at all. Thousands take to the streets to buy roses and books for their loved ones, and after last year's rain storm and the previous two marked by Covid-19, 2023's has long been marked in the calendars of many.

This year, however, La Liga has scheduled the Barça game against Atlético de Madrid at 4:15 pm at the Camp Nou stadium.

After learning the official schedule, Barça asked La Liga to reschedule the game for later on in the evening, at 9 pm, or to play the game on Saturday, as local media have reported. The club cited safety protocols, as many police will be deployed to the city center and to the nearby Comte de Godó tennis not far from Camp Nou.

However, the bookstore association does not believe the game will affect Sant Jordi, as the celebration of books and roses will be held on Saturday and Sunday. It has also encouraged residents "to walk around the streets" to take in the festivities. 

This year Sant Jordi "will last the whole weekend, with stands in front of bookstores in Barcelona from Friday, allowing residents to check out, discover, and buy a lot of books for many hours not being to the time the game is being played," a bookstore association statement reads.

For the association, "enjoying sports and culture is perfectible compatible."