Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, gestures to his players during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, gestures to his players during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona already have one eye on their Champions League last-16 second-leg tie v Newcastle United.
The two teams couldn’t be separated in the first leg at St James’ Park as Lamine Yamal’s last-gasp penalty called out Harvey Barnes’ 86th-minute opener.
Barca boss Hansi Flick was happy to leave Tyneside with a draw, and although heartbroken by the late equaliser, Eddie Howe insists the Magpies will finish the job at the Camp Nou.
“In the cold light of day, when we wake up tomorrow, I think we'll see all the positives rather than negatives,” Howe said after the first leg. “The tie is very much alive.
“We played really well. I think we've shown our qualities. We've been really competitive.
“As I said, the challenge for us is we need more of it on a consistent basis. That's easier said than done, but I think we've shown that we can play against the very best when we're at our best.”
Barcelona set to rest players ahead of Newcastle United tie
Both teams return to their respective leagues this weekend. Newcastle visit Chelsea, who were beaten 5-2 by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, while Barca host Sevilla.
Barca are aiming to either extend or maintain their four-point lead at the top of La Liga, but according to Spanish newspaper Sport, they are prioritising the second leg against Newcastle.
It’s claimed “several of the expected starters will be rested” in preparation for the Magpies, which could see the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Marc Bernal and Raphinha given a breather.
Lamine Yamal misses training but expected to play v Newcastle United
Barca are also keeping a close eye on Yamal, who didn’t take part in training on Thursday due to feeling some “discomfort”. Sources in Spain, however, do expect the 18-year-old to resume training on Friday.
With that, Yamal is expected to be available to face Newcastle, although ask those on Tyneside and they’ll tell you that is very fortunate to be the case.
United were incensed when Yamal made no attempt to play the ball to wipe out Hall in the first half. Referee Marco Guida decided against brandishing the Barcelona prodigy a yellow card.
Had Lamal been booked, he would have been suspended for the second leg at the Camp Nou.
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