Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe ready for ‘historic fixture’ against Barcelona

LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has challenged his men to make a strong start to their Champions League campaign, as they prepare to host Barcelona at St James’ Park on Sept 18.

The Magpies boss has had to deal with the sour departure of star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool on transfer deadline day, but he has since moved on from that fiasco.

All eyes were on club-record signing Nick Woltemade on Sept 13 in the English Premier League against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the forward made sure he did not disappoint as he scored in the 1-0 home win.

After netting 17 goals for VfB Stuttgart last season, the German striker could be the solution to Isak’s exit as Howe moves on from that transfer saga. But his immediate focus will be on Barcelona.

The victory over Wolves has given Newcastle a much-needed morale boost for this match as the Magpies prepare for their second Champions League campaign in three seasons.

“It is a historic fixture. We knew when the draw was made it had a magical feel to it. It will be an amazing game to experience. I’m really excited to sample the atmosphere,” said Howe.

“Everything that goes into a Champions League game, it is different from the Premier League. The build-up is different, the feel is different. But I back the quality that we have.

“It’s a tough fixture list for us and the early games are really important because they set the foundation. The players have to show they’re good enough to play at this level, excelling at this level.”

Howe’s men were eliminated in the group stage of the previous format in 2023-24, while they were not in Europe’s elite club competition last season.

This campaign they will take on the likes of the mighty Barcelona, Benfica, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen and title holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Newcastle will head into the match against Barcelona having won only one of their last eight European games, drawing three and losing four.

However, Howe would know his team have lost just three of their last 31 home fixtures in Europe (W21 D7) and have won four of their six home encounters with Spanish sides in Uefa club competitions.

They are strong at home but nothing should be taken for granted.

“There’s certainly things we can take from that experience (in 2023),” Howe added.

“Ultimately, we didn’t progress beyond the group stage, which was a big disappointment, so I think we can use those experiences to help us.”

Meanwhile, in the Barca camp, Hansi Flick’s side have started the defence of their La Liga title by claiming 10 points from their opening four matches and are hoping to build on the momentum of their 6-0 thrashing of Valencia at the weekend.

The Catalan side have lost just two of their last 17 Champions League group-stage or league-phase matches against English teams (W8 D7), so this clash could be tight, considering Newcastle’s strong home record.

Exciting forward Lamine Yamal will miss the trip with a groin injury, the Spanish club said when they announced the squad that had travelled to St James’ Park.

Yamal suffered the injury while on international duty with Spain and Flick slammed the national team for not taking better care of the 18-year-old, who also missed the win over Valencia.

“For me, it’s a shame he’s not playing, disappointed we don’t get to see him at his best,” said Howe.

“But whoever they play, they have real pace in wide areas, international players who will challenge us in different ways.”

Aside from Yamal, who started the season strongly with two goals and two assists in La Liga, Barcelona said that Alejandro Balde and Gavi are also out, along with long-term absentee Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but Frenkie de Jong is available. REUTERS