· 18 September 2025, 14:00
Former Germany international manager Hansi Flick will be in the dugout for Barcelona tonight as they take on Newcastle United at St James' Park in an 8pm kick-off in the Champions League.
It perhaps wasn't the original plan a couple of weeks ago, but German international striker Nick Woltemade will likely make his Champions League debut from the start tonight for Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old wasn't part of VfB Stuttgart's Champions League squad last season, which is a strong indication of how rapid his rise to prominence has been.
Woltemade seemingly came out of nowhere last season, scoring goals for fun with Stuttgart and going on to finish as top scorer at the Under 21s European Championships for Germany in the summer with five goals in four games.
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Nick Woltemade has impressed Hansi Flick
Hansi Flick seems to be an admirer of Nick Woltemade
A lot of people, perhaps quite rightly, raised eyebrows when Newcastle forked over £69 million for the striker who had one good season to his name, but such was the summer market and Newcastle's desperation towards the end of the window.
Hansi Flick coached the German national side between 2021 and 2023, and the now Barcelona boss has admitted to the media (via The Shields Gazette) ahead of tonight's match that he didn't know a whole lot about Woltemade before, but now feels Germany has a great Number 9.
“To be honest, I didn't know [Woltemade] all that well.
“I followed some matches, I saw some matches, so I was really surprised about how he increased his level.
“And of course, I think here in Premier League, it's a good option for every club, so I'm happy [for him].
“We'll see how he improves and I think he has a lot of potential to improve. Of course in the Premier League he will have to improve to play day by day, and this is the most important thing.
“I'm really happy with Germany. We now have a really good No. 9, and it's good for all of us.”
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Can Nick Woltemade add to his impressive start to life at Newcastle tonight?
The plan had reportedly been to introduce Woltemade slowly into the Newcastle United lineup to give him time to get used to the Premier League and his new surroundings, but due to fellow new boy Yoane Wissa picking up an injury on international duty, Woltemade doesn't have the time for such a process.
Thankfully, the lanky striker hit the ground running at the weekend, scoring the only goal of the game as Newcastle beat Wolves in the Premier League.
That's one appearance at St James' Park and one goal. Can he add to that tonight?