NEWCASTLE, England – FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed satisfaction with the result, a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, but acknowledged his team’s performance with the ball was far from ideal. The match, played on March 10, 2026, at St. James’ Park, saw a late penalty from Lamine Yamal secure a valuable point for the Catalan club.
Speaking after the game, Flick highlighted the challenges posed by the atmosphere and intensity at St. James’ Park. “It was a very difficult match, in a stadium with a great atmosphere and against a very intense opponent,” he said, as reported by multiple sources. The German coach was particularly pleased with his team’s defensive work, stating, “We defended very well. Within the field, we had a very good defense.”
However, Flick was critical of Barcelona’s struggles in possession. “With the ball, we didn’t play well. We lost too many balls, and that’s what Newcastle wants,” he explained. “We knew that when they get the ball, they are very fast. It wasn’t effortless, but I am very happy with my team, especially with the defense.”
The match saw Newcastle take the lead late on through Harvey Barnes, before Yamal’s penalty leveled the score. The draw sets up a crucial second leg at Camp Nou, where Barcelona will aim to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The atmosphere at St. James’ Park was noted as a significant factor, impacting Barcelona’s ability to maintain possession and control the game.
Flick also addressed the physical condition of his squad, acknowledging potential fatigue. “It may be that we were tired, but we played a very intense match with this atmosphere and this team,” he said. He reiterated his appreciation for the defensive effort, adding, “I am very happy and I appreciate what I saw in defense, and we have to play much better with the ball.”
A talking point from the match was the deployment of Ronald Araújo at right-back. Flick explained the decision was tactical, aiming to maintain stability in central defense. “He did his job. We didn’t want to change many positions. it was clear that we wanted to play with Cubarsí and Gerard as center-backs, and I asked Ronald if he could play as a right-back, and he played a good game,” Flick stated. He acknowledged Araújo’s fatigue towards the end of the match but noted the team had players in the right positions to cover.
Looking ahead, Flick expressed optimism about the team’s potential, particularly highlighting the development of his young central defenders. “We have a very young team, and especially the two central defenders are doing a fantastic job. In recent matches, it’s very good to see how they are improving and how they play together,” he said. “We have to improve, we have a great potential and we have to do things better.”
Barcelona will return to domestic action on Sunday with a La Liga match against Sevilla before hosting Newcastle United for the second leg of their Champions League tie next week. Flick emphasized the importance of rest and preparation in the coming days. “At the moment, we have to rest; the players’ job is to rest and prepare well for Sunday’s match. We will have several days to prepare it, there will be no rest, but This proves normal. When you play at this level in the Champions League and La Liga, it is normal to have matches every two or three days and we have to adapt and do things well these days.”
Despite several players unavailable due to injury, Flick dismissed the idea of using this as an excuse. “We find no excuses, we had enough players here and it could even be seen, when Xavi came on, that he played very well. And that’s what I want to see, and I’m happy about it,” he said.
The manager also touched upon the demand to manage the workload of Pedri, who has recently returned from injury. “We have to manage the minutes and, with Pedri, we have to be careful. This season he has had two injuries, he has returned from the last one and, of course, everyone wants to play with him because he is the player who controls the ball,” Flick explained.
The first leg provided a hard-fought draw for Barcelona, but Flick clearly believes there is significant room for improvement as they head back to Camp Nou. The second leg promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams vying for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The tactical battle between Flick and Newcastle’s manager will be one to watch, as both sides look to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.
Barcelona’s ability to control possession and create scoring opportunities will be crucial in the second leg. The return to home soil should provide a more familiar and comfortable environment for the Catalan club, but they will need to be prepared for a determined Newcastle side. The Champions League remains a fiercely competitive tournament, and every detail will matter as Barcelona seeks to advance.
Next up for Barcelona is their La Liga clash with Sevilla on Sunday, providing an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the crucial second leg against Newcastle United. Fans can follow the latest updates and team news on the club’s official website and social media channels.
