**Barcelona**are without their leading light on their trip to St. James' Park. But after beating **Valencia**6-0 on the weekend, they affirmed the words of Bruno Guimaraes in his pre-match presser. The Newcastle United midfielder made clear we "play against Barcelona, not Lamine" on Thursday.
‘Barcelona have a wonderful team’
Guimaraes is excited to kickstart a second Champions League campaign with a club on the rise.
*“Everyone is very excited for the game. Everyone since when we beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, our focus straight away was on the **Barcelona*game. So I think that everyone in a good place. We are fit enough to go and deliver a very good performance.”
St. James' Park has been a fortress for Newcastle. The Geordies are always enthusiastic fans, and they finally have a side that befits their passion.
The club captain set the tone for the team with his commitment, and he feels that the atmosphere could be a leveller for the Toon on the evening.
*“I think when you play at home, it's always a great weapon for you. We've shown what we can do in the Champions League here and we've also done that in big games in the Premier League. I think we need to play our best football tomorrow. As you say, Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world. We have to be ready to fight right until the very last minute to try and get those three points.”*
Under Hansi Flick, **Barcelona**have gained the edge of a full throttle press and an ability to hit teams with fast attacks. But they have not strayed far from the specialism of midfield control, and the man who regulates the action is Pedri, a player whom Guimaraes has already played against for his nation.
“He's a wonderful player. I played against Pedri in the in the Olympic final in Japan. He's a great player. We have to fight on my pitch this time. Barcelona have a wonderful team and we have to be ready to fight right in that central midfield area.”
The pace and finishing of **Raphinha**from the left flank fired the Blaugrana to the final four of the **Champions League**last term, but a teenage sensation swiftly became their talismanic figure.
Lamine Yamal is only 18, but he has earned the right to wear the number 10. He will miss this match with pain in his pubic bone after playing with painkillers for **Spain**two weeks ago. That is something of a relief for the hosts, but they know that the Blaugrana still have plenty of ways to pick them apart.
*“He has great quality. He's one of the best players in the world. But we're not going to play against Lamine. We play against Barcelona who have Pedri, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, all these great players. I'm sure it's good he's not playing against us, but we play against Barcelona, not Lamine.”*