FC Barcelona learnt their opponents for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 earlier today, with the draw pairing them against Newcastle United.
The Magpies qualified for the Round of 16 via knockout playoffs, where they defeated Qarabag, and will now take on the Blaugrana, having already lost to them once in the league phase.
Deco reacts
Barcelona were represented at the draw by sporting director Deco, who gave his opinion on facing Newcastle United in the Round of 16 in a little over a week.
“This level is tough. People have their opinions, and they know how difficult the clubs are, but it’s a tough draw for everyone. Now we have to prepare for the next match,” the former Portugal international said.
With Barça playing the second leg of the knockout fixture at home, Deco admitted: “It is an advantage, but only if you approach the first match with seriousness. It’s a very tough pitch; we won, but we suffered.”
Pedri Barcelona vs Newcastle
Barcelona face Newcastle in the Round of 16. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)
With the bracket for the entire tournament now set, Barcelona will end up facing the winners of Atletico Madrid and Tottenham in the quarter-final.
On the possibility of facing Atletico later on in the competition, after having been beaten 4-0 by them in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, Deco remarked:
“It’s definitely possible. We have the second leg of our Copa del Rey tie and a league match; that would be four games, plus the ones we’ve already played.
“I don’t know when was the last time we faced each other so many times in a single season.”
Deco also issued an update on the condition of Frenkie de Jong, who suffered a hamstring injury during training on Thursday.
“It’s a muscle strain, it’ll be out for 3-4-5 weeks, usually no longer. He’s unlikely to return before the international break,” the Barça director noted.
Source: AS