The Catalan giants were also in action on Saturday evening when they faced Athletic Bilbao in La Liga
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring against Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona formward Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring against Athletic Bilbao(Image: Getty Images)
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Barcelona prepared for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park with a narrow 1-0 win over La Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night.
While Newcastle United crashed out of the FA Cup with a 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City, the Catalan giants made the trip to the San Mames Stadium and came away with the three points thanks to Lamine Yamal's second-half goal.
Given that United cruised to a 3-0 success over the Basque side earlier this season, that result could give the Newcastle faithful some hope for the coming last-16 two-legged tie.
However, Barca boss Hansi Flick had made big changes to his starting XI for last night's game, with several big-name players rested for the match in preparation for Tuesday.
The German left Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Pedri out his side in Bilbao, with Yamal and Marcus Rashford leading the line, with Ferran Torres. All three were introduced as Barca struggled to break down Bilbao before Yamal's winning goal.
Like Newcastlle boss Eddie Howe, Flick admitted it was a case of managing minutes, with a big game at St James' Park to come, followed by a La Liga clash with Sevilla at the Nou Camp and the return leg against the Magpies.
"You have to manage minutes and look at the past, but also the future," Flick explained following their 1-0 win. "You have to give everyone opportunities."
Former Man City forward Ferran Torres again struggled, but Flick backed him to find his best form.
"Ferran? He lacks confidence right now, but we are working on it," he added. "It’s important to try everything in matches. He’s in a good dynamic, he’s fast, and right now he’s just having a bit of bad luck, but if I can help him, I will."
Howe also raised eyebrows with his team selection for the FA Cup game with Manchester City, with William Osula starting up front and Nick Woltemade restored to a midfield role after a brief illness.
It means Anthony Gordon started on the bench, with the England star expected to return to lead the line on Tuesday as he looks to add to his 10 goals in the Champions League already this season - including one against Barcelona back in September.
Howe has made no bones about the importance of the Barcelona tie, saying after the FA Cup defeat to Man City: "In terms of trying to achieve something totally memorable, yes. All energy and focus now go to Tuesday.
"As much as it is easy to be negative in this moment, and I understand we have gone out of the FA Cup, we have the biggest game in the club's history coming up in no time at all. We have no time to dwell on this."
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