Barcelona vs Newcastle UCL clash preview: Team news, form guide & gaffers comments
A mouth-watering clash pits English side Newcastle United against Barcelona away in the round of 16 matchup of the UEFA Champions League this Wednesday, March 18, 2025.
The two teams battled to a one-all draw in the first leg meeting a week earlier, and proceedings remain evenly poised ahead of the rematch at Camp Nou.
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Lamine Yamal’s added-time penalty in the first leg denied Newcastle a famous victory after Harvey Barnes’ first-half goal put the hosts on the cusp of a memorable win.
Form guide
Barcelona, the competition’s five-time winners, head into the clash on a run of three wins that was ultimately derailed by the 1-1 first-leg draw at St. James’ Park.
The Catalan giants bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 5-2 thrashing of Sevilla in their domestic clash, a performance they look to extend in the return to Europe.
Coaches’ reactions
For Eddie Howe’s men, their form remains largely inconsistent despite sailing past Chelsea in a famous 1-0 win over the Blues.
A couple of wins and an equal number of losses in their recent five meetings across Europe and at home. Eddie Howe has some fitness issues to deal with amongst key players, while Barcelona welcomed back Gavi after a lengthy injury spell in the clash against Sevilla.
The coaches have remained cautious in their pre-match assessments, with Howe hopeful of his charges adopting a more clinical display.
“The details of this game are going to be important, dealing with their strengths and also trying to produce our best moments. I think when you consider the two games we’ve had against Barcelona, we’ve had some really good passages of play, some good opportunities to score, but we haven’t beaten them, so that’s the challenge,” he told UEFA.
Flick emphasised how his charges will need to be at their best after failing to impress away in England.
“Newcastle is a physical team that goes man-to-man, and they’re dangerous in transition. We need to play a perfect game and we’ll try to do that,” he said.
Possible lineups
Barcelona: Joan García; Eric García, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha; Ferran Torres
Newcastle: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon
