"Barcelona will step onto the pitch at St James' Park for a second time this season when they take on Newcastle United tonight in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The Blaugrana already took on the Magpies in the league phase of the competition earlier in the season, securing a 2-1 victory courtesy of a Marcus Rashford brace."
"Barcelona go into the game without some important players such as Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen. But having managed to rotate his squad to some degree over the weekend against Athletic Club, Flick will be confident of the team getting a positive result against Eddie Howe's men."
"Joan Garcia had an excellent game on his previous trip to Tyneside in the league phase. A guaranteed starter in the Barcelona goal, he will be hoping to secure a clean sheet this time around against Newcastle United."
Barcelona returns to St James' Park to face Newcastle United in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg. The Blaugrana previously defeated Newcastle 2-1 in the league phase. Barcelona will be without several important players including Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen. Manager Hansi Flick rotated the squad recently against Athletic Club and remains confident of securing a positive result. Joan Garcia will start in goal after an excellent previous performance at Tyneside. The defense will feature Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo as full-backs, with Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin in central defense. Pedri, who came on at half-time against Athletic Club, will start from the beginning against Newcastle.
Read at Barca Universal
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