"In the first 45 minutes, particularly, Barca's attack wasn't anywhere close to being on the front foot. Aside from a handful of brief flashes from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, there really wasn't anything to get excited about before the official blew his whistle for half-time. Robert Lewandowski may as well not have been there, and the profligacy from the two wide men and Fermin Lopez against what is a mid-table Premier League side was just not good enough."
"Against two lightning-fast players in Will Osula and Anthony Elanga, Araujo and Cancelo acquitted themselves well for the most part, whilst Cubarsi and Martin continue to build what's turning into a reasonably decent central defensive partnership. A partnership that may lack pace, but has good balance and understanding, and is often calmness personified, with neither player being one who tends to panic under pressure."
Barcelona traveled to Newcastle United for a Champions League Round of 16 tie after beating them earlier in the season. Hansi Flick's side arrived unbeaten in four games and had progressed in 15 of their last 16 Round of 16 matches. Newcastle, having eliminated Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate, presented a challenge with a strong home record in European competition. Barcelona's attack underperformed significantly in the first half, with Lewandowski, Yamal, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez failing to create meaningful chances against a mid-table Premier League side. The defense, featuring an unconventional lineup with Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin, and Cancelo in unfamiliar positions, performed reasonably well against Newcastle's pace but ultimately conceded a late goal.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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