Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, interacts with Gavi during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Spotify Camp Nou on March 15, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)placeholder image
Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, interacts with Gavi during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Spotify Camp Nou on March 15, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona and Newcastle United team news ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg tie.
The two sides meet again at the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening with the tie still in the balance following last week’s 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.
It had looked as though the Magpies would be taking a 1-0 lead to Spain, but Lamine Yamal equalised with the last kick of the game after Malick Thiaw conceded a penalty for a challenge on Dani Olmo.
Newcastle United hope Sandro Tonali return
Newcastle hope to have Sandro Tonali available after he missed the 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday through illness.
“Yeah, we hope so,” Eddie Howe said when asked if Tonali would return versus Barcelona. “He was feeling unwell after training [Friday].
“It quickly became apparent that he wouldn't be able to travel. So, fingers crossed it follows a similar pattern with the other illnesses we've had [and] it's quite a quick recovery.
“There's been something going around now for two to three weeks in the squad. Fingers crossed, it's the same.”
United are also assessing Lewis Miley, who hasn’t featured since the 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain in January due to muscle damage.
Speaking on Friday, Howe said: “Yeah, we were hoping that he'd be fit for that game and I don't actually know if that's deviated at all. I mean, he's not training with the group currently.
“He's on the grass now running again and working incredibly hard but all the feedback I've had from the medical team is that we just have to be careful with this injury.
“We don't want it to turn into something a lot more serious, so, it's gone on longer than anyone had hoped but the main thing is that he comes back fit.”
Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth remain sidelined but Newcastle will be boosted by captain Bruno Guimaraes’ presence around the squad, albeit not in a playing capacity. The 28-year-old is due to return to the pitch after the upcoming international break.
Guimaraes has been in Brazil completing the first part of his recovery from a hamstring injury but returns to Tyneside on Monday before flying out to Barcelona to cheer on his teammates.
“He's back on Monday,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “I think his plan, typical Bruno, he wants to come to Barcelona and support the team.
“We hope that he won't be too far away once he's back with us. We'll obviously have to assess him. I know he's been working incredibly hard on his rehab with the Brazilian national team physios and doctors, so I think he'll be in a good place.
“Yeah, and he's such a big player. So I'd love to think by the time the international break has ended he'll be back, fit and available.”
Barcelona confirm major injury boost ahead of Newcastle United clash
Meanwhile, Barcelona have announced that midfielder Gavi ‘has been given the medical green light’ to make his return following 205 days out with a knee injury.
The 21-year-old was named on the bench during Sunday’s 5-2 win over Sevilla before being introduced as a 82nd minute substitute.
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