Barcelona travels to St. James’ Park on Tuesday to face Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. Manager Hansi Flick has named his squad for the match and a notable inclusion is midfielder Gavi, despite not yet receiving medical clearance to play.
The inclusion of Gavi, still in the recovery phase from a knee injury sustained in September, signals a boost in morale for the Catalan club. While he won’t be available for selection against Eddie Howe’s side, his presence with the team demonstrates his commitment to the squad and continued rehabilitation process. Barcelona will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals, seeking their first Champions League title since 2015.
Flick confirmed Gavi’s inclusion in the traveling party on Friday, but indicated that a return to competitive action isn’t expected until after the international break in early April. The German coach is carefully managing the young Spaniard’s recovery, prioritizing a full return to fitness over a premature comeback.
Barcelona’s injury list remains significant. Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé, and Alejandro Balde are all unavailable for the match against Newcastle, in addition to Gavi’s continued recovery. This presents a challenge for Flick as he looks to assemble a competitive lineup against a strong Newcastle side.
The two teams previously met during the group stage of this Champions League campaign, with Barcelona securing a 1-2 victory thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford – a detail that may sting for the Catalan faithful. Joan García also delivered a noteworthy performance in goal during that encounter.
Barcelona Squad List:
- Goalkeepers: Joan García, Szczesny, and Kochen
- Defenders: Cancelo, Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Eric, Cortés, and Xavi Espart
- Midfielders: Pedri, Fermín, Casadó, Olmo, Bernal, Tommy Marqués, and Gavi*
- Forwards: Ferran, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Roony, and Rashford
The inclusion of Gavi, even in a non-playing capacity, is a psychological lift for Barcelona as they prepare for a difficult away match. Newcastle, known for their intense home atmosphere, will pose a significant challenge. Flick’s side will need to be prepared for a fast start from the Magpies, a point the manager has reportedly emphasized to his players.
Flick is also stressing the importance of concentration throughout the match, wanting to avoid a repeat of the Copa del Rey disappointment against Atletico Madrid. Learning from past mistakes, particularly the semi-final defeat to Inter Milan last season, is also a key focus for the Barcelona manager. The team reportedly practiced defending deeper against Athletic Club, with young winger Yamal instructed to maintain positional discipline rather than pressing high up the pitch.
Barcelona’s recent LaLiga victory against Athletic Club provided a positive momentum boost heading into the Champions League tie. However, the Champions League presents a different level of competition, and Newcastle will undoubtedly provide a stern test. The first leg at St. James’ Park will be crucial in determining which team advances to the quarter-finals.
Barcelona will be looking to Lewandowski and Yamal to provide attacking impetus, while the midfield will need to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game. The defense, without key players like Christensen and Koundé, will need to be resolute against Newcastle’s attacking threats.
Following the first leg in Newcastle, Barcelona will return to Spain to prepare for the second leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The date for the return fixture is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be in mid-March. The outcome of the first leg will undoubtedly shape the approach to the second leg, with Barcelona aiming to secure a favorable result at St. James’ Park to give themselves the best possible chance of progressing to the next round.
Fans can follow the match live on Tuesday evening, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (7:00 PM UTC). Updates and analysis will be available on Archysport.com following the final whistle.
