Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's sixth goal with teammate Marc Bernal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Estadi Johan Cruyff on September 14, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)placeholder image
Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's sixth goal with teammate Marc Bernal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Estadi Johan Cruyff on September 14, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spanish media have highlighted Newcastle United’s midfield three as a big threat to Barcelona.
One of Spain’s largest newspapers has labelled Newcastle United’s midfield three as ‘one of the best in Europe’.
Barcelona are the reigning La Liga champions and head into Thursday’s Champions League opener away to Newcastle fresh from thrashing Valencia 6-0.
To little surprise, Hansi Flick’s side head into the game as favourites, but they’ve been warned of the huge threat that awaits them at St James’ Park.
Spanish media highlight Newcastle United’s midfield three
Tonali, they say, is “terrifying for his footballing prowess” and is “the undisputed master of the midfield”. Guimaraes is described as the “rebel” with “greatest quality and courage in attack”, while Joelinton “is a natural worker, an all-rounder, and a player any coach would want on their team.”
And together, “none of the three compromise on their defensive efforts, forming a midfield that fits together perfectly and is one of the best in Europe”.
“They may not be the most high-profile names, but this midfield is a daunting prospect,” the report concludes.
Those words won’t be lost on those on Tyneside, who have often said similar since the trio formed their midfield partnership late last year. At least now they know the three are receiving worldwide recognition.
Eddie Howe asked if NUFC’s midfielder is the best in the Premier League
The collective form of Tonali, Guimaraes and Joelinton led to Newcastle boss Eddie Howe being asked in April if he possessed the best midfield in the Premier League. Howe stopped short of making such a statement, but agreed all three players bring different qualities.
Howe said: “You want the creativity that Bruno can bring us, the good decision-making that Sandro brings us and Joelinton's physical presence. Add that together and you've got a little bit of everything
“It's difficult for me to give a definitive answer but just looking at those individual players, they all bring something different and when you talk about balance, that's what you want.
“Although you can think that before bringing them together, sometimes, you can't measure the chemistry. Chemistry is just as important.
“That's why you see some players play better with others and sometimes there's no logic behind it, it just happens because the players express themselves in that way together.
“They are getting there. With every game, maybe, the understanding of each other gets better and stronger."
Bruno Guimaraes on Newcastle United’s midfield
What Howe didn’t say, Guimaraes did. Speaking last month, the club’s skipper said: “I think that, to be very honest, it is one of the best midfields in the league.
“Everyone is similar, but everyone has their own way of playing, Joelinton is stronger, I'm a bit more technical and Tonali is a gladiator, so we were able to gather our strengths for the team and I believe that we are a midfield that does everything.”
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