After jetting off this morning, Newcastle United are Barcelona-bound and seeking what would be THE most famous night in the club’s European history.
We head into tomorrow’s Champions League second leg with the scores level at 1-1, with Lamine Yamal’s late penalty at St James’ Park partially spoiling what should’ve been a huge and deserved victory for Eddie Howe’s Mags.
As we build up to Wednesday’s 5.45pm kick-off at the Nou Camp, media duties are taking place as we speak over in Spain, with Barca boss Hansi Flick holding his pre-match press conference in the last few moments.
He’s discussed Newcastle’s strengths as a side, the challenge his Barcelona side are facing, fellow German Nick Woltemade and Yamal’s fitness.
Hansi Flick has hailed Newcastle United’s physicality and aggression heading into tomorrow’s game, also praising our defensive qualities and pace in transition.
The German boss also hinted at a plan to “look for the spaces” should we arrive with another man-to-man approach, insisting his Barca side must play the ‘perfect game’ to prevail.
“Newcastle is a physical team. Very aggressive. In individual defending. But in transition, they have fast players.
“We’ve talked about it. We have to play with confidence, and that’s important for tomorrow. If they play man-to-man, we’ll have to look for the spaces. We’ve worked on what we need to do today.
“We have focused on what we must do better from last week. We’ll have to play our perfect match tomorrow.”
On Lamine Yamal, the star winger has been passed fit to play, playing down concerns that he could miss out after he was left out of their battering of Sevilla on Sunday.
“Lamine Yamal is ready! Yesterday he trained fantastically. He can make the difference”.
“The Champions League is the best competition in the world and everyone wants to play it. It’s an extra motivation for every player”.
On Nick Woltemade, Flick praised the former Stuttgart star’s displays for the German national team and defended Howe’s use of the German in a deeper role, insisting he is the one working with him every day and seeing he’s capable of.
“Eddie Howe knows better than me about his position (centre midfield).
“Nick is good for the national team.
“I wish Nick all the best, maybe not for this game, but after this game!”
A huge game awaits tomorrow night. Flick spoke well, with respect for Newcastle and the challenges ahead, and we’ll be covering Eddie Howe’s press conference quotes here at NUFC Blog a little later on,