Newcastle United are preparing for some mouthwatering ties in the Champions League, as they get set to face European football’s elite sides.
The Magpies had a taste of that in 2023/24. Newcastle United played Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, and are now braced for more big games underneath the lights.
The new Champions League format means that Newcastle will definitely take on at least two elite sides, as they face one team from pot one at home and another away from home.
The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich could be welcoming Eddie Howe’s side very soon, and some of the Newcastle United squad have given their verdict on who they want to face in the Champions League.
Anthony Elanga in action for Newcastle United against Liverpool.
Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Anthony Elanga wants to play Real Madrid away from home
Speaking on Newcastle United’s official Instagram account, summer signing Anthony Elanga was asked who he wants to face at St James’ Park first in the Champions League.
“I would choose Real Madrid,” he said.
“Preferably I’d like to play them away but if we can play them at home it’s even better.”
He was then asked to name the four away days he wants Newcastle United to experience in this season’s Champions League.
“Real, Dortmund, Sporting, Napoli,” he said.
Sadly, Elanga’s four selections will not be possible. That is because Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are both in pot one, while Sporting CP and Napoli are both in pot three.
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Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope fancy Newcastle United against Barcelona in the Champions League
Newcastle United goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope have also been asked to give their thoughts on who they want to face in the Champions League.
While Elanga’s dream opponent is Real Madrid, Ramsdale and Pope are keen for the Magpies’ marquee game to be against their biggest rivals Barcelona.
In a video shared on Instagram, the Toon stoppers were asked to pick a team from each Champions League pot to face away from home. When it got to pot one, Barcelona was their answer.
Pope: “Barca? Old stadium or new stadium? Oh, we’re going to Spain!”
Ramsdale: “We are going to Spain.”
Newcastle have history with Barcelona when it comes to the Champions League. Tino Asprilla scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in one of the Magpies’ most famous ever wins in 1997. Elsewhere, Shola Ameobi’s goal at the Nou Camp in 2002 is iconic.
A trip to Barcelona would likely see the Magpies compete at the refurbished Nou Camp. The La Liga giants have been redeveloping their stadium, and plan to re-open it very soon in time for the Champions League beginning.
As well as Barcelona, Pope and Ramsdale would like Newcastle to face Juventus, Ajax and Galatasaray away from home.