Although their league phase was not flawless, FC Barcelona did enough to qualify directly for the Champions League Round of 16, avoiding the risks of the play-off round. That phase concluded this Wednesday, reducing the field to just 16 teams and setting the stage for the knockout draw held in Nyon.
The draw proved favourable for the Catalans, who were paired with Newcastle United. Barcelona had a fifty-fifty chance of facing either the English side or Paris Saint-Germain, and it was former Barça midfielder Ivan Rakitic who pulled Newcastle out of the bowl, steering the Catalans away from a reunion with Luis Enrique and PSG.
The draw places Barcelona in the less demanding half of the bracket, offering a clearer path toward the final in Budapest. Should Hansi Flick’s side overcome Newcastle, they would meet the winner of the round of 16 tie between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-final. A potential semi-final would then come against either Bodø Glimt, Sporting CP, Bayer Leverkusen, or Arsenal.
Crucially, Barcelona cannot meet Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea, or PSG until the final, as all those teams are grouped on the opposite and more demanding side of the draw.
Barcelona will first travel to St James’ Park on Tuesday, March 10, for the first leg, before hosting the 2nd leg at Camp Nou on Wednesday, March 18. The timing also fits neatly around the club’s presidential elections and a league fixture against Sevilla. The Catalans already have positive memories of Newcastle this season, having won there 2-1 in the league phase, with Marcus Rashford scoring twice.
There is no previous Champions League knockout history between the two clubs, although Barcelona have won two of their three visits to northern England. Flick, however, will be without Frenkie de Jong and is unlikely to recover Gavi in time. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe faces even greater injury problems, missing key midfielder Bruno Guimarães and centre back Fabian Schär.
Newcastle arrive with confidence after an emphatic play-off victory over Qarabag and boast one of the competition’s most dangerous attacks. Anthony Gordon is the second-highest scorer in the tournament with ten goals, while Sandro Tonali dictates play from midfield, and the Magpies can rotate between several attacking systems.
Barcelona, therefore enjoy a clear sense of relief rather than euphoria. The road to Budapest appears kinder than expected, but the immediate task remains demanding. To take advantage of a favourable draw, the Blaugranes must first overcome a dynamic and fearless Newcastle United.