Matchday thread - Toon v Barca (Part III)

[UlversToon]

Following a 1-1 draw on Tyneside, the second leg of Newcastle's Champions League Round of 16 tie against Barcelona is at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

It's a 5.45pm kick-off in the UK, 6.45pm in Spain.

Live coverage in the UK is on TNT Sports.

Should the scores be tied after 90 minutes, an additional 30 minutes of extra time will played, with a penalty shootout then following if required.

Barring an incredible second leg turnaround, the winners will face Atletico Madrid in the Quarter-finals after they beat Spurs 5-2 in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

That last eight tie will see either Newcastle or Barcelona at home first on Tue 07.04.2026 or Wed 08.04.2026 and then away on Tue 14.04.2026 or Wed 15.04.2026.

Team: Sandro Tonali is in the squad, while Bruno Guimaraes has travelled but won't play. Lewis Miley remains at home working on his fitness after missing the last 13 games.

Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth also remain out.

Assuming he plays, Anthony Gordon will make his 150th appearance in all competitions for Newcastle.

Coral rate this tie as follows:

NUFC win 18/5
The draw 18/5
FCB win 8/13

FCB: Gavi and Eric Garcia are both fit and available but Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde and Andreas Christensen remain out.

Hansi Flick's side beat Seville 5-2 at home on Sunday in La Liga, restoring their four point lead at the top of the table over Real Madrid.

A 1-2 Champions League defeat by PSG is the sole blemish on their home record this season, winning the other 18 league and cup games played at several different venues.

Referee: Francois Letexier (France)

VAR: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)

UK TV: Live on TNT Sports

UK Radio: Live on talkSPORT 2

Round of 16 first leg results:

Tue 17.03.2026:
Arsenal (1) v Bayer Leverkusen (1)
Chelsea (2) v PSG (5)
Manchester City (0) V Real Madrid (3)
Sporting Lisbon (0) v Bodo/Glimt (3)

Wed 18.03.2026:
Barcelona (1) v Newcastle (1)
Bayern Munich (6) v Atalanta (1)
Liverpool (0) v Galatasaray (1)
Spurs (2) v Atletico Madrid (5)

Stats:

This is Newcastle's 20th competitive cup game of the season (12 in CL, five in CC, 3 in FAC) the most in any season; one more than the 19 in 2004/05 and 2006/07.

This will be the seventh meeting of the two clubs, all coming 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 drew 1-1 (h) Barnes

Toon in Spain - competitive games:

1968/69 Real Zaragoza (a) lost 2-3 (FC)
1994/95 Atletico Bilbao (a) lost 0-1 (UE)
1997/98 Barcelona (a) won 0-1 (CL)
2002/03 Barcelona (a) lost 1-3 (CL)
2003/04 Real Mallorca (a) won 3-0 (UE)
2005/06 Deportivo La Coruna (a) lost 1-2 (IT)

[jimileysbaldhead]

Off to the shops in a minute to get the ale for tonight's extravaganza and to celebrate our 3-1 win. Unfortunately my lad's coming round to watch so I'll probably have to buy the whole of the beer aisle in Tesco.

[Over The Line]

I know every run has to end at some point.

But the 16 or so consecutive wins, 55 goals to 11 conceced at home and their usual favorable ref decisions they get. I can't say I'm very confident,

[UlversToon]

[originallad]

Ffs why isn't Tino playing.

[originallad]

I fear we're going to get absolutely dicked.

[Over The Line]

I was expecting Rashford to start, he has a habit of turning up against us over the years .

[UlversToon]

Barcelona starting XI: J.Garcia, Cancelo, E.Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Pedri, Bernal, Lopez, Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha,

Subs: Szczesny, Araujo, Gavi, Ferran, Rashford, Casado, Olmo, Roony, Kochen, Cortes, Espart, Tommy

[bodacious benny]

I was expecting Rashford to start, he has a habit of turning up against us over the years .

Same - bonus that he isn't. Burn coped well with Lewandowski last week.

[bodacious benny]

Ffs why isn't Tino playing.

Tbf it would be mental to start him v Chelsea, then v Barcelona, then v Sunderland when he's just back from another long layoff.

[jimileysbaldhead]

Ffs why isn't Tino playing.

Tbf it would be mental to start him v Chelsea, then v Barcelona, then v Sunderland when he's just back from another long layoff.

I agree, I also think he's managing Botman sensibly with his injury issues. I hope I'm not jinxing them but both Trippier and Burn have been tremendous of late.

[originallad]

Tbf it would be mental to start him v Chelsea, then v Barcelona, then v Sunderland when he's just back from another long layoff.

I agree, I also think he's managing Botman sensibly with his injury issues. I hope I'm not jinxing them but both Trippier and Burn have been tremendous of late.

Fair enough.

I read somewhere that when we've had a back four of Tino, Thiaw, Botman and Hall we haven't lost a match.

[Slim999]

Ffs why isn't Tino playing.

Our WHOLE SEASON hangs on this 1 match

Wtf isnt Tino starting ?

This match is FAR FAR MORE IMPORTANT than Sunderland ffs.

Perhaps he thinks Tino can come on after 60 mins

We could be sunk by then.

Tripps isnt up to this imo

[jimileysbaldhead]

I agree, I also think he's managing Botman sensibly with his injury issues. I hope I'm not jinxing them but both Trippier and Burn have been tremendous of late.

Fair enough.

I read somewhere that when we've had a back four of Tino, Thiaw, Botman and Hall we haven't lost a match.

It would be lovely to have the four of them fully fit and together for the run in. They are without doubt a fantastic back four both defensively and attacking wise.

[Murphy's Marvellous Grin]

I agree, I also think he's managing Botman sensibly with his injury issues. I hope I'm not jinxing them but both Trippier and Burn have been tremendous of late.

Fair enough.

I read somewhere that when we've had a back four of Tino, Thiaw, Botman and Hall we haven't lost a match.

Yes, because its only happened once

They all started together another time, but with Burn in a back five.

[Slim999]

Oh well

Fingers crossed .

Trips at least did well in the 1st match at finding Elanga's runs .

From these can come the chances for Gordon & Barnes - or advanced midfielders

I hope Tino gets at least 25 minutes if we need him

We looked like a different beast when he came on Vs Chelsea

[jimileysbaldhead]

The more beer I'm drinking the more nervous I'm getting. Better go on the rum for a while....

[originallad]

Anyone got a stream?

Just realised that I cancelled my TNT subscription on SKY.

Doh!

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

Evening all, nice early start today for part 3, Not sure what everyones expecting tonight, I think most of us arent expecting a shitt load of goals, and certainly hope we don't get buttf**ked, .........so am gonna be boring and go for 1-2 to the toon, obviously i know i was very negative before the first match but 16 shots 4 on target and just the whole mentality of every one of the players surprised me and if they can recreate that spirit tonight we can do it.

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

Anyone got a stream?

Just realised that I cancelled my TNT subscription on SKY.

Doh!

its nights like these i wish i'd kept my TNT