Barcelona manager Hansi Flick happy with Newcastle draw

Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick said that he was content material along with his aspect’s 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, after Lamine Yamal equalised with the final kick of the sport. The Blaugrana noticed Newcastle United impose themselves on the sport for a lot of it, however will return to Camp Nou with parity.

Regardless of the end result, there was a transparent acceptance that Newcastle had been the higher aspect on the evening, with Barcelona trying exhausted within the remaining levels. Flick promised a ‘totally different Barcelona’ within the second leg.

“We’ve had a whole lot of earlier matches, and injured gamers. Bernal and Pedri are coming off a interval of inactivity. We have to enhance, that’s clear, however the optimistic factor for us is the end result. After being 1-0 down, it was unbelievable to have the ability to come again and get a draw.

“We’ll see a special Barça within the return leg,” he informed Movistar+, through MD.

‘We misplaced the ball too many instances’ – Flick

His important frustration with Barcelona’s efficiency was in possession, feeling they handed the initiative to the Magpies. Nevertheless he was content material with their defending.

“We didn’t play properly with the ball; we misplaced possession too usually, and that’s what Newcastle needs. We knew they’re very fast after they go the ball. It wasn’t simple, however I’m very proud of my group, particularly the defence; we defended very properly on the pitch. The 2 centre-backs did a unbelievable job.”

“We could have been drained, however we performed a really intense match with this environment and this group. I’m very glad and recognize what I noticed in defence, and we have to play a lot better with the ball. In the event you had stated to me that the end result could be 1-1 earlier than, I’d have been glad.”

Ronald Araujo at right-back

Earlier than the sport it was anticipated that Eric Garcia could be beginning at right-back, however he was dropped to the bench because of muscle discomfort. As an alternative of shifting Joao Cancelo to right-back and Gerard Martin to left-back with Ronald Araujo in central defence, their most pure positions, Araujo got here in for Garcia in a straight swap.

“He did his job. We didn’t wish to change many positions; it was clear we wished to play with Cubarsi and Gerard as centre-backs, and I requested Ronald if he might play at full-back, and he had a great recreation. Ultimately, he was drained after operating a lot and didn’t get well properly on the proper time, however we had gamers in the proper place to compensate.”

Xavi Espart got here on for his debut for Araujo within the closing levels after he suffered cramp.

“There aren’t any excuses, we had sufficient gamers right here and you would even see, when Xavi got here on, that he was excellent. And that’s what I wish to see, and I’m glad about it.”

🚨 Xavi Espart: “It has been a dream to have the ability to debut with Barça’s first group. I am going to preserve working to get extra alternatives.” 🎙️

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 10, 2026

‘We’ve got to handle Pedri’s minutes’ – Hansi Flick

There have been a number of questions concerning the bodily standing of Barcelona after the sport, with an exhausted Pedri, Marc Bernal and Araujo all coming off, seemingly struggling.

“Proper now we have to relaxation; the gamers’ job is to relaxation and put together properly for Sunday’s match. We’ll have a number of days to arrange, there gained’t be any relaxation, however that’s regular. Whenever you play at this stage within the Champions League and La Liga, it’s regular to have matches each two or three days, and we now have to adapt and do issues proper throughout lately.”

Pedri, Barcelona’s finest participant on the evening, was withdrawn with 20 minutes to go.

“We’ve got to handle his enjoying time, and with Pedri, we now have to watch out. He’s had two accidents this season, he’s simply come again from the final one, and naturally everybody needs to play him as a result of he’s the participant who controls the ball.”

Barcelona host Sevilla on Sunday evening, earlier than welcoming Newcastle to Camp Nou the next Wednesday in a winner-takes-all second leg.