Eddie Howe's side have a huge challenge ahead of them in tonight's Champions League tie, but need fear no one
Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes celebrates scoring against Barcelona with Jacob Ramsey and Tino Livramento
Newcastle United can take confidence from the 1-1 draw at St James' Park last week(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
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Having gawped in wonder at Gaudi's unfinished cathedral of countless sky scraping spires straddling 144 years of construction and strolled down Las Ramblas for a coffee or something slightly stronger, all roads will lead to the iconic Nou Camp for travelling Geordies.
Barcelona, European royalty and the pride of Catalan, await to either break Newcastle hearts once again or surrender to the desire and passion of their visitors desperate to extend their Champions League dream.
A historic 1-0 victory was denied us at our cathedral on the hill through a penalty when the referee was raising his whistle to his lips to signal full-time so it is a case of now or never in the return.
Geordie brave hearts against strutting Spanish aristocrats. Those who feel entitled with an arrogant aloofness challenged by those who crave to join Europe's elite on a regular basis.
It boils down to an hour and a half of blood, sweat and fears. Of not just supreme skill but undying spirit.
Without question the challenge for United will be vastly different to that of SJP. There will be no wall of deafening sound from 50,000 of the Toon Army to inspire black and whiters rather a roaring blast from Barca fans to convert a team of strollers at our place into ruthless assassins. A passive Lamine Yamal may well be transformed into the world class teenager his reputation tells us he is.
Yet we will have our own weapons. The best left-back in club football Lewis Hall, the massive heart of local hero Dan Burn, hopefully the midfield dictators of pattern Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, the pace and power up top to exploit Barca's high line of defence. On our day they can combine into a winning formula.
United travel too with the significant boost of a rare victory at fellow Champions League participants Chelsea to encourage belief.
Of course Barcelona hold all the aces historically and on form. Spanish champions and La Liga leaders against the Premier League's ninth club, suggests only one outcome and it will take a Herculean effort to overcome those odds but then didn't United win at Arsenal in last season's Carabao Cup semi-final, defeat PL champions elect Liverpool in the Wembley final, and twice go to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and remain unbeaten. Faint heart never won fair lady.
What is needed to overcome a challenge as big as the Rockies is near perfection. Everyone on their game, desire rampant, defiance immoveable, and Lady Luck hitching a ride.
Bruno will be there as major cheerleader and there will be plenty of leaders on the green grass. We need them all plus subs who can come on to add fresh legs when others have been run into the ground. This game will be won or lost not by 11 men but the whole squad.
Perhaps in conclusion we ought to digest a few stats that will make us appreciate the wonderful journey across Europe we have been on.
Newcastle have won six of their 11 Champions League games (three draws and only two defeats) which is the most victories ever attained in a single season. We have scored in each of our last 13 CL ties (29 goals all in) - a record only bettered by German giants Bayern Munich whose jackpot stretches to 16 fixtures. And United are currently on their longest ever unbeaten CL run which stands at six matches.
Yes all with black-and-white hearts can walk Las Ramblas with heads held high and no feeling of inferiority.
Let us add to those impressive figures with the best result of the lot.
Watch Barcelona vs Newcastle on TNT Sports
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