Newcastle – Barcelona: Flick names his XI as Howe calls it Newcastle’s biggest night

Newcastle – Barcelona takes centre stage at St James’ Park with kick-off a little over an hour away as the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg begins. Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed his starting lineup, while Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has described the occasion as the biggest game in the club’s history.

What Happens When Newcastle – Barcelona begins at St James’ Park?

The tie is Newcastle’s first-leg home test in the Champions League last-16, with Howe leaning into the scale of the moment. He called Barcelona “the biggest game in this club’s history, ” adding that it is “massive, ” and framed the night as a rare opportunity for his players.

Howe has also referenced a famous night from 1997, when Newcastle beat Barcelona 3-2 at St James’ Park thanks to a Tino Asprilla hat-trick, saying he wants his current players to be remembered in a similar way in the decades ahead.

Barcelona return to Tyneside having already won at St James’ Park earlier in the competition’s league phase in September, when Marcus Rashford scored two second-half goals and Pedri took control of midfield after an early Newcastle spell. Anthony Gordon’s late consolation was described as a footnote to the outcome.

What If Barcelona’s lineup changes reshape the first leg?

Flick’s confirmed XI includes multiple changes from the side that faced Athletic Club over the weekend, after Barcelona’s heavily rotated team won 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a Lamine Yamal goal.

In midfield, Pedri returns to the team, replacing Marc Casado, and will partner Marc Bernal, who has recovered from a stomach bug. In defence, Ronald Araujo comes in for Eric Garcia, who misses out through muscular discomfort. Araujo is expected to line up alongside Pau Cubarsi at centre-back, with Joao Cancelo and Gerard Martin operating as the full-backs. Joan Garcia continues in goal.

Further forward, Robert Lewandowski starts as Barcelona’s No. 9, replacing Ferran Torres. Raphinha, benched at the weekend, comes in for Marcus Rashford, while Lamine Yamal continues on the right. Fermin Lopez is set to operate as the No. 10 ahead of Dani Olmo.

Beyond selection, Barcelona’s travel and preparation were designed to keep the group sharp: after the win over Athletic Club in Bilbao, the squad flew to north-east England and checked in to Matfen Hall, with the plan for a light training session on the St James’ Park pitch on Monday evening.

What Happens Next if the underdog mindset defines the night?

Howe has spoken about trying to ensure Newcastle do not waste what he sees as a fleeting chance, pointing out there are “only 16 teams left” and stressing the need to rise to the occasion and embrace its size. He has also acknowledged Newcastle’s position in the Premier League—12th during an inconsistent campaign—while arguing that the underdog role has helped his team during his time at the club.

The immediate question for the first leg is whether Newcastle can avoid a repeat of September’s pattern, when Barcelona weathered an early spell and then imposed midfield control through Pedri. With Flick’s lineup now confirmed—featuring Pedri from the start and Lewandowski leading the line—Newcastle – Barcelona arrives with both managers making their intentions clear: one framing history, the other backing a reshaped XI to take the first step in the tie.