Matchday thread - Toon v Barca

[UlversToon]

Two Barcelona matchday threads in one season, who'd have thought it?

Newcastle play the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at SJP on Tuesday against the La Liga leaders.

The Catalans won 2-1 at SJP in the League Phase of the competition last September.

It's an 8pm kick-off, live on Amazon Prime.

Team: Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar are out, but Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy all participated in training on Monday.

Jacob Ramsey is available following a domestic suspension.

Both Dan Burn and Joelinton are one booking off a ban.

Coral rate this tie as follows:

NUFC win 15/8
The draw 11/4
FCB win 5/4

FCB: Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Andreas Christensen are unavailable.

Defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are doubtful after going off injured during Tuesday's Copa Del Rey meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Hansi Flick's side won 1-0 at Bilbao on Saturday to go four points clear at the top of La Liga They host Seville on Sunday week between their two ties with Newcastle.

Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)

VAR: Daniele Chiffi (Italy)

UK TV: Live on Amazon Prime

UK Radio: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live

Stats:

This will be the sixth and seventh competitive meetings of the clubs, all in the Champions League:

1997/98 won 3-2 (h) Asprilla 3
1997/98 lost 0-1 (a)
2002/03 lost 1-3 (a) Sh.Ameobi
2002/03 lost 0-2 (h)
2025/26 lost 1-2 (h) Gordon
2025/26 (h) to follow
2025/26 (a) to follow

[overseasTOON]

The night we beat Barcelona 3-2 was also the day my Dad married wife number 3.

I was sat at the reception dinner beaming like a Cheshire cat because I'd bribed the waiters to keep me updated throughout the match.

My Dad was at the top of the table and had noticed my smile and pointed out to wife three how happy I was for them.

It had nothing to do about celebrating my Dad's inability to keep his cock in his pants that had led to his third vow of honouring the sanctity of marriage.

Waiter had told me we were 3-0 up.

It was pure Tino Asprilla bliss.

[TJR]

Looking forward to going to this tonight.

Barcelona and Pedri in particular were brilliant at SJP earlier in the season. One of the best teams I've seen live. And still we could have beat them, created a couple of glorious chances at the start of the game. Start in a similar way but actually take our chances and who knows, we might just beat them.

Reckon we'll be fired up for this one. SJP will be rocking, the players will be at thier high press, high intensity best. Has the potential to be a brilliant night.

[bodacious benny]

Love him or hate him, Wolte can’t play tonight. He’s just too slow on the ball and wants too much time. You would expect Ramsey to come straight back in.

[TJR]

Love him or hate him, Wolte can’t play tonight. He’s just too slow on the ball and wants too much time. You would expect Ramsey to come straight back in.

Agreed.

Really hope the team is:

Ramsdale (or Pope)
Trippier Thiaw Burn Hall
Ramsey Tonali Joelinton
Elanga Gordon Barnes

That will give us the best chance of winning. We need to be at our high pressing, high intensity best and exploit the space in behind Barca's high line to stand a chance. Woltemade slows things down too much.

[Tsi]

3-2 us Tino hat trick

[bodacious benny]

Love him or hate him, Wolte can’t play tonight. He’s just too slow on the ball and wants too much time. You would expect Ramsey to come straight back in.

Agreed.

Really hope the team is:

Ramsdale (or Pope)
Trippier Thiaw Burn Hall
Ramsey Tonali Joelinton
Elanga Gordon Barnes

That will give us the best chance of winning. We need to be at our high pressing, high intensity best and exploit the space in behind Barca's high line to stand a chance. Woltemade slows things down too much.

I think it'll be that team but with Murphy over Elanga, given their attacking threat down the wings I think he'll favour the discipline of Murphy over the pace of Elanga.

[Over The Line]

Agreed.

Really hope the team is:

Ramsdale (or Pope)
Trippier Thiaw Burn Hall
Ramsey Tonali Joelinton
Elanga Gordon Barnes

That will give us the best chance of winning. We need to be at our high pressing, high intensity best and exploit the space in behind Barca's high line to stand a chance. Woltemade slows things down too much.

I think it'll be that team but with Murphy over Elanga, given their attacking threat down the wings I think he'll favour the discipline of Murphy over the pace of Elanga.

Murphy should be nowhere near a team playing Barca.

Elanga got MOM first game did he not? Think he'll start again

[originallad]

The night we beat Barcelona 3-2 was also the day my Dad married wife number 3.

I was sat at the reception dinner beaming like a Cheshire cat because I'd bribed the waiters to keep me updated throughout the match.

My Dad was at the top of the table and had noticed my smile and pointed out to wife three how happy I was for them.

It had nothing to do about celebrating my Dad's inability to keep his cock in his pants that had led to his third vow of honouring the sanctity of marriage.

Waiter had told me we were 3-0 up.

It was pure Tino Asprilla bliss.

[Colly]

I think it'll be that team but with Murphy over Elanga, given their attacking threat down the wings I think he'll favour the discipline of Murphy over the pace of Elanga.

Murphy should be nowhere near a team playing Barca.

Elanga got MOM first game did he not? Think he'll start again

This is a big shout when Elanga has managed about 40 minutes of quality for us this season. I get that he needs time, but he's usually ****.

[Slim999]

Murphy should be nowhere near a team playing Barca.

Elanga got MOM first game did he not? Think he'll start again

This is a big shout when Elanga has managed about 40 minutes of quality for us this season. I get that he needs time, but he's usually ****.

On the other hand Elanga had looked much better recently- more direct and running at defenders

Murphy has been average by his high standards of last term.

Id go Barnes - Gordon- Elanga

[Colly]

I'd probably start Elanga, but I wouldn't complain if it was Murphy. Running a bit is the bare minimum you need from Elanga and you often don't get that.

[Slim999]

Im going to put it out there and say thst Gordon shows tonight why he is a world class performer.

There , I've said it

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

its only live on prime if you subscribe to TNT, feck that

[Slim999]

From Gemini...

:For tonight’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash at St James' Park (March 10, 2026), Barcelona’s backline is heavily impacted by injuries.....With Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde both ruled out due to hamstring issues, Hansi Flick is expected to field a makeshift set of full-backs.

​Expected Barcelona Full-Backs...

​Right-Back: Eric García Typically a center-back or defensive midfielder, Eric García is slated to fill in on the right flank to cover for Koundé.

​Left-Back: João Cancelo The veteran Portuguese defender will shift to the left side, a role he has frequently occupied this season to provide veteran stability.".

Our front 3 need to get at them from the off

[Murphy's Marvellous Grin]

Funny that its two former man city players haha. Im sure Cancelo has played left back a lot in his career. Hardly makeshift.

[Murphy's Marvellous Grin]

Gordon starting on the bench a bit of a surprise.

[Lammy]

That's a shame for Gordon not starting.

[bodacious benny]

Must be carrying an injury surely.

[Cal]

Amazon coverage are saying illness for Gordon dropping to the bench, sounded like a late call?