St James’ Park is ready for a particular evening on Thursday, when Newcastle United welcome Barcelona for his or her Champions League opener. It looks like a throwback to the Nineties, with the Magpies again on Europe’s largest stage after lacking out final season. For Eddie Howe’s males, this fixture isn’t nearly factors; it’s about making an announcement in opposition to some of the established names within the sport.
Newcastle haven’t had the best begin domestically, however their weekend win over Wolves got here on the good time with new signing Woltemade delivering on his debut. It reminded followers of their resilience, and extra importantly, it gave the gamers perception. Barcelona, however, look each inch the favourites. They’ve already scored 13 objectives in 4 La Liga video games, together with a 6-0 demolition of Valencia that noticed Lewandowski, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez seize a brace every, and underneath Hansi Flick, they’re taking part in with sharpness and goal.
Softfotball understands that Barcelona has examined the bottom forward of the sport, with Barcelona’s admin importing a video of the staff coaching on the turf on the membership’s official X account.
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Group Information
The Magpies have causes to be upbeat with a number of key males returning. New signing Nick Woltemade is anticipated to steer the road, whereas Bruno Guimarães, Tonali, and Joelinton will shoulder the midfield battle. Additionally they have the likes of Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Elanga and Anthony Gordon to combine up issues in assault.
Barcelona travels with most of their stars match. Robert Lewandowski stays the apparent hazard and will begin instead of Ferran Torres within the center, who himself has additionally been in wonderful type alongside Raphinha, nevertheless it’s the stability in midfield that might tilt the competition because the likes of Pedri, Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, and Fermin Lopez are anticipated to run issues within the center.
Defensively, they’ve had one or two considerations, which Newcastle will look to use, however the presence of Paul Cubarsi and Joan Garcia in aim might support the Catalans defensively. Sadly, Lamine Yamal shall be out of this contest, and it stays to be seen who will accomplice Lewandowski and Raphinha in assault between Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford, though the Spaniard has the sting given his type.
Attainable Line-ups
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Barcelona (4-3-3): J. Garcia; Kounde, Christensen, Cubarsi, Martin; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Fermin, Ferran; Lewandowski
Newcastle will throw every part at Barcelona, feeding off the house crowd, and there’s each likelihood they make it uncomfortable for Flick’s males. However Barça’s European know-how and attacking firepower may simply show decisive.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-3 Barcelona
