Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona will start their 2025/26 Champions League campaign with a trip to St. James' Part to take on Premier League club Newcastle United. On Thursday 18 September at 9pm CEST, the two teams will meet for the first time in over 20 years, their last meeting coming in the Champions League back in 2002/03. 

Coach Eddie Howe

Newcastle are back in Europe's top club competition after missing out last season. In 2023/24 they made their return to the European elite after an absence of more than 20 years, a sign of the Club's development under Eddie Howe. 

Last season's fifth place finish in the Premier League means a second Champions League for the 47 year old Howe as coach of the team known as 'The Magpies'. The current boss took over in November 2021 and has impressed in the job. As well as qualification for Europe, Howe has also brought silverware to Tyneside for the first time in 70 years with his team's victory over Liverpool last season in the Carabao Cup Final. 

Settled defence

Newcastle under Eddie Howe like to play with a 4-3-3 set up. The back four is solid with ex-Atlético Madrid full back Kieran Trippier adding experience alongside another former La Liga man, ex-Deportivo La Coruna player Fabian Schär, at centre back. Keeper Nick Pope is an England international , Dan Burn is another experience centre back with Tino Livramento and Lewis providing a touch of youth. 

New look midfield and attack

Brazilians Bruno Guimares and Joelinton are much improved under Eddie Howe and form an attacking threat in the middle of the part with Italian midfielder Tonali holding it all together. England international Anthony Gordon and new arrival Anthony Elanga give Newcastle plenty of pace out wide up front where the gap left by the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a record Premier League fee has been filled by the signings of proven goalscorer Yoane Wisse and exciting young German striker Nick Woltemade.

Previous meetings

In the Champions League Barça and Newcastle United have met on four previous occasions. All matches have come in the group stage of the competition with Barça taking three wins to the English club's one. In 1997/98 in the opening group fixture Newcastle took a 3-2 win at home in their first ever meeting with the blaugranes. Barça had revenge in the return fixture winning 1-0 at Spotify Camp Nou. 

In 2002/03 the team met again in the group fixtures. This time Barça took six points from the two matches, winning 1-0 at Spotify Camp Nou and 2-0 away at St. James' Park. 

St James' Park, legendary stadium

Newcastle United's St. James' Park is one of the most famous stadiums in English Football. With a capacity of 52,000, it has also been the venue for games in Euro '96 and the 2012 Olympic Games. The vertiginous stands behind the goals bring comparisons to Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, creating an intimidating atmosphere not unlike that of the home of the Bunsdesliga club. 

History

Eddie Howe recently ended a 70 year silverware drought by winning the English League Cup, now known as the Carabao Cup, last season. After their foundation in 1892 as Newcastle United, the team enjoyed great success in the early years of English Football, winning the league championship on four occasions between 1905 and 1927. Newcastle have also won the FA Cup on six occasions, the last of which came back in 1955, their last trophy before success in the 2024/25 Carabao Cup. 

 

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