Real Madrid are set to welcome fans back to their renovated Bernabeu home this Saturday when the Spanish champions host Real Betis.
While construction to upgrade the famous old stadium will continue throughout this season, Spain's most successful club have been given the go-ahead to return to the ground to play their home fixtures
Madrid posted spectacular drone footage of the redevelopment work at the Bernabeu on social media which included a state-of-the-art pitch removal system.
The new Bernabeu has an advanced turf protection system where the pitch is housed in six levels at an underground "green house" through layers of retractable segments.
Videos of the Bernabeu's pitch removal system have already gone viral. Moreover, there are plans to turn the Bernabeu into a multi-purpose stadium that can host basketball and tennis matches, as well as concerts and other events, without damaging the grass.
Construction started at the Bernabeu in 2020 and Real had to move their base to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano temporarily.
Carlo Ancelotti's team will enter their "new" home with a spring in their stride. Karim Benzema scored twice in the final few minutes to give European champions Real a 3-1 win at Espanyol on Sunday, their third win in as many La Liga games this season.
Real Madrid sit top of the table on nine points, level with Real Betis.
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Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's second goal during a La Liga match against Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday, August 28, 2022. AP -
Karim Benzema scores Real Madrid's second goal against Espanyol. AFP -
Karim Benzema celebrates scoring Real Madrid's second goal with teammates. Reuters -
Karim Benzema celebrates scoring Real Madrid's second goal against Espanyol. AFP -
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has a shot on goal against Espanyol. AFP -
Karim Benzema takes the ball past Espanyol midfielder Eduardo Exposito. AFP -
Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera puts on the goalkeeper's jersey to replace Benjamin Lecomte after he received a red card. AP -
Referee Melero Lopez shows a red card to Espanyol goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte. AP -
Espanyol's Edu Exposito chases Real Madrid winger Rodrygo. AP -
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga attempts to shield the ball from with Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera. AFP -
Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Vazquez challenges for the ball against Espanyol's Javi Puado. Reuters -
Eduardo Camavinga runs with the ball during the match between Espanyol and Real Madrid. AP -
Espanyol defender Joselu scores his team's first goal against Real Madrid. AFP -
Joselu celebrates scoring Espanyol's first goal against Real Madrid. AFP -
Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr skips a challenge from Espanyol defender Fernando Calero. EPA -
Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring Real Madrid's first goal against Espanyol. Reuters
