Sunderland face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
With his side level on aggregate heading into the contest, the Magpies boss could only watch on as the hosts subjected them to a 7-2 drubbing on the night - the largest defeat ever suffered by an English club in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Next up, of course, is a Tyne-Wear Derby showdown with Sunderland at St. James’ Park on Sunday lunchtime. But how much of an effect will Wednesday’s thrashing have on Newcastle ahead of the weekend, and could the Black Cats stand to benefit from their bitter rivals’ setback?
What has been said about Newcastle United’s defeat to Barcelona ahead of Sunderland clash?
According to Shields Gazette journalist Joe Buck, guesting on the latest episode of The Roar podcast, brought to you by The Echo, the need for Newcastle to pick up all three points against Sunderland remains unsurprisingly and desperately high, but the aftermath of their Spanish sojourn may ultimately weigh heavy on the home crowd.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s contest in a chat prior to the Barcelona match, he explained: “They've had games this year where they've dropped points - maybe Brentford at home, Everton at home - which means games like Sunderland, of course it's a little bit different, but it means that just in the grand scheme of the Premier League, they can't afford to drop that many more points if they want to get into Europe next year.
“So forget the fact it's Sunderland and a derby, Newcastle probably have to win all of their home games between now and the end of the season to do what they want to do in the Premier League. And as you say, their only chance of silverware is obviously the Champions League, the only chance of probably get back into the Champions League is by winning the Champions League as well. So a lot rides on Wednesday's game.
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“And then again, as you say, a lot rides on Sunday's game, because if they lose two in a row, especially if they go out to Barcelona by conceding a few goals - you know, Barcelona have actually scored more than three goals in every game, I think, since December at home, which is a bit of a crazy stat - so if they go out heavily against Barcelona and then don't beat Sunderland - a draw won't be good enough - then that puts massive pressure on the last seven games of the season, because they'll have not just a gap to close on Sunderland, but also on their European rivals.
“So yeah, it'll be a weird and different atmosphere heading into St. James' Park on Sunday. You'll probably feel it. You'll either have, the best part 50,000 jubilant fans because they beat Barcelona, or a lot of nerves because as you say, the season does sort of rest on this game and whatever the outcome of that is.”
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