No, Lewandowski can't be the number 9: the immediate takeaways from Newcastle-Barça

A last-gasp draw (1-1) for a lackluster Barça. And they'll have to turn things around in the return leg at Camp Nou on March 18. Here are some notes on the match between the English and Catalan sides.

Good night and cover upBarça visited Newcastle with a depleted defense: Eric, suffering from muscle discomfort, was the latest casualty in a back line where Flick could already count on Koundé, Balde, and Christensen. In midfield, Bernal made a significant impact in the 70th minute in his fifth consecutive start, while Pedri continues to work towards peak fitness, playing only the second time since his recent injury that he surpassed 60 minutes. The English side overwhelmed them in intensity and pace, in a match where Barça never looked comfortable and ultimately conceded a deserved goal late on, which, fortunately, they were able to equalize thanks to a penalty won by Olmo and converted by Lamine. Barça can be thankful for that 1-1 draw.

Let the sun rise over BarcelonaAfter a lackluster performance, the most optimistic takeaway is that the Premier League's twelfth-placed side can be comfortably beaten at the Camp Nou, avoiding a tough battle to qualify for the quarterfinals. A much braver and more dominant Barça is expected at the Camp Nou. When the Champions League draw paired Barça with Newcastle (and on the more favorable side of the bracket), it was celebrated by many Barça fans, and it's true that the English side is a much more manageable opponent than PSG, but in the top club competition, there's no room for complacency. Barça will overcome their fears in Barcelona, ​​playing at home. This team has already shown they can do much better.

Lamine is not enough. With 20 goals in 37 games Having overcome his groin injury, the Rocafonda native is enjoying his most successful season in the top flight. After his hat-trick Against Villarreal and with the stunning goal he scored at San Mamés, the number 10 arrived at the match fired up. But he alone wasn't enough. He provided what little spark Barça had. Nevertheless, the Blaugrana star added another record to his countless list of precocity achievements: at 18 years and 240 days old, he became the youngest player to reach 30 Champions League appearances, surpassing PSG's Zaire-Emery (19 years and 227 days) and the former goalkeeper, who reached the milestone at 20 years and 207 days while playing for Arsenal.

Lewi He can't be Barça's number 9. And if Lamine isn't enough, it's because he needs much more from his teammates. Raphinha, in a season plagued by injuries, is performing far below his level from last season. And what about Lewandowski? Against Newcastle, Flick gave him confidence, but he neither intimidated, nor finished accurately, nor was he useful in pressing. What's at stake? Speaking to SER Catalunya, Laporta declared: "Lewandowski came to Barça at a very difficult time. He gave up a lot to come here. He has some very important offers, but I would like him to continue for another year, if he wants to." The Polish striker has had a magnificent career and has scored many goals for Barça, but should he really stay another year in the Blaugrana colors?