Barça avoids PSG and Real Madrid until a hypothetical Champions League final
Hansi Flick's team now knows the path to Budapest, with Newcastle as their first obstacle.
BarcelonaBarça now knows its path to the Champions League final, which this season will be held in Budapest on May 30. After narrowly missing out on last season's final in a heartbreaking tie against Inter Milan, the Catalan club will be looking to reach a European final again eleven years later. But to achieve this, they will first have to overcome Newcastle, another tough opponent. "It's a draw where we could have drawn two very different teams, but both with their own difficulties. Newcastle is a tough team and it's a difficult ground where we've already struggled," said sporting director Deco from Switzerland.
The draw for the round of 16 has paired Hansi Flick's team with the English side, who will meet again more than five months later. The two clubs faced each other in the first Champions League match, in which Barça triumphed at St. James' Park with a brace from Marcus Rashford (1-2). The German coach has remained cautious. "Every match is important and it won't be easy. This is the Champions League and Newcastle has a great team. We have to respect all our opponents and everyone wants to reach the final, we do too."
The first leg will be played on March 10 or 11 in Newcastle, while the return leg will be a week later – March 17 or 18 – at the Camp Nou. It will also be the first match for the new Barcelona president, although he will not officially take office until July 1. Barça and Real Madrid will be on opposite sides of the draw and will not meet until the final. Real Madrid will face Manchester City, with the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. The two teams will meet again after playing in the group stage, where Real Madrid won 2-1. However, last season Real Madrid managed to eliminate the English side in the Champions League. play-offs
As for a hypothetical quarter-final, Barça would face the winner of Atlético Madrid-Tottenham, with the first leg at Camp Nou, while Álvaro Arbeloa's team – should they win at Manchester City – would play against Atalanta or Bayern Munich. Hansi Flick's team also avoids Real Madrid., Manchester City, Liverpool, PSG and Bayern Munich are in the running for the final, although Arsenal could also be in their path.in the semifinals. The quarterfinals will be on April 7/8 and 14/15, while the semifinals will be played on April 28 or 29 and May 5 or 6, the day on which the final will be decided.
Rashford returns to England
The English and Catalan sides will face each other again in a match in Europe's top competition. They last met not long ago, specifically on September 18th of last year, in a Champions League group stage match, the new format that has revolutionized the competition. Rashford was responsible for securing the three points for Barça, scoring a brace to seal the victory for Flick's men at St James' Park. Deco has stated that that match in England was one of "the best of this season." In fact, this was Newcastle's only Champions League defeat at home, where they have won the other four matches they have played.
Taking a quick look at their head-to-head matches, the balance tips in favor of Barcelona. They have only played five matches in their entire history, and Barcelona has won four times. The only time they lost was in 1997 in a group stage match, the old format of the competition. The game ended 3-2 in favor of the English side. hat-trick by Colombian Faustino Asprilla. For the Catalans, Luis Enrique and Figo scored the goals.
Newcastle are not considered favorites, although they are coming off a resounding victory against Qarabag, whom they thrashed 9-3. Eddie Howe's team is known for being a very direct opponent, quick on the counter-attack, with a powerful aerial game and a very proactive style of play. Their star player and most dangerous threat is Anthony Gordon, their all-time top scorer in the competition. Besides him, other notable players include Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes in attack, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Tonali in midfield, and Dan Burn and Trippier in defense.