FC Barcelona will step onto the pitch at St James’ Park for a second time this season within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16.
The Blaugrana already took on the Magpies within the league section of the competitors earlier within the season, securing a 2-1 victory courtesy of a Marcus Rashford brace.
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Hansi Flick & co. will enter the stadium with the goal of returning house with an analogous end result, permitting them to take a step in direction of the quarterfinals of the competitors.
Barcelona go into the sport with out some essential gamers resembling Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen.
However having managed to rotate his squad to a point over the weekend towards Athletic Membership, Flick will probably be assured of the crew getting a optimistic consequence towards Eddie Howe’s males.
With that in thoughts, right here’s how the reigning La Liga champions might arrange towards the Premier League outfit at St James’ Park tonight.
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Defence
Joan Garcia had a superb recreation on his earlier journey to Tyneside within the league section. A assured starter within the Barcelona purpose, he will probably be hoping to safe a clear sheet this time round towards Newcastle United.
With no Kounde and Balde, Flick is anticipated to proceed with the full-back pairing of Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo on the best and left sides, respectively, like he did within the recreation towards Athletic Membership over the weekend.
As for the centre-back partnership, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are anticipated to start out as soon as once more regardless of the temptation of entering into with Ronald Araujo so as to add a extra bodily presence on the pitch.
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Midfield
Set to reclaim his beginning berth. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)
Pedri was not a part of the beginning XI towards Athletic Membership over the weekend, however got here on at half-time after the crew struggled to get entering into his absence.
The Spanish midfield maestro will begin from the get-go tonight towards Newcastle United and will probably be key for Barcelona to safe a victory.
Marc Bernal, who has hit a wealthy vein of type in current weeks, should companion with Pedri, having recovered from the abdomen difficulty that led to his substitution at half-time within the Athletic Membership encounter.
Transferring up, Fermin Lopez ought to switch Dani Olmo within the No. 10 place for the Blaugrana, together with his performances on this season’s Champions League impressing closely.
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Assault
Raphinha was not a part of the beginning XI at San Mames over the weekend, however is anticipated to start out from kick-off tonight, which means Marcus Rashford, who was Barcelona’s match-winner final time round at St James’ Park, will miss out.
On the other flank, there may be merely no wanting previous famous person winger Lamin Yamal, who might want to preserve his self-discipline, as one other reserving tonight will earn him a one-match suspension.
Ferran Torres is anticipated to get the nod forward of Robert Lewandowski because the centre-forward as soon as once more for Barcelona.