Three talking points ahead of Newcastle United vs Barcelona | Champions League Ro16

Barcelona wouldn’t have lengthy between their two sport this week, and have been compelled to journey to England instantly from Bilbao to arrange for the UEFA Champions League conflict on Tuesday night time.

The Blaugrana tackle Newcastle United within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 and will probably be heavy favourites to advance.

Having the second leg at residence, the Catalans are anticipated to comfortably advance and transfer by means of to the quarterfinal. However, the Premier League membership will put up a battle, particularly in entrance of their very own followers at St James’ Park tomorrow.

When the 2 groups confronted off earlier this season, Barcelona have been with out Lamine Yamal and gained the sport 2-1 due to a surprising brace by Marcus Rashford. Tomorrow, they are going to have a full-strength assault for a similar fixture.

Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Newcastle United vs Barcelona.

Studying from the previous

The final time Barcelona performed the primary leg of a two-legged affair, issues didn’t go too nicely and the workforce will hold that in thoughts after they take to the sphere tomorrow.

Having the second leg at house is certainly a large benefit for Barcelona, however in addition they had the identical fortune after they took on Atletico Madrid final month within the semifinal of the Copa del Rey.

Nevertheless, they collapsed to a 4-0 defeat within the first leg towards Los Rojiblancos and took residence the worst potential outcome, putting themselves in dire bother for the second leg. They gave their all within the eventual reverse fixture, however that deficit was an excessive amount of to show round.

Barcelona, thus, should be conscious to remain alert, within the second, and clearly conscious of the truth that they are going to have ninety extra minutes to comfortably take the outcome after tomorrow’s sport.

The hassle, thus, should not simply be directed in the direction of a win however in the direction of bringing residence a outcome that may be defended or is workable with.

A battle of depth

Taking part in Newcastle United at St James’ Park this season has not been straightforward for any visiting workforce, and Barcelona are one of many few groups to have gone and conquered the venue.

What makes the English aspect so formidable at their residence venue, evidently, is the depth with which they arrive out at St James’ Park, which is troublesome to take care of for visiting oppositions.

When Barcelona took on Newcastle United earlier this season within the league stage of the UEFA Champions League, they confronted off towards that very high-pressing, high-intensity system and initially struggled to adapt to the identical.

Tomorrow’s sport, thus, will rely largely on how Hansi Flick prepares his males to counter that strain and dominate the proceedings, one thing that may largely rely on the midfield.

The contributions of Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Marc Bernal, and Lamine Yamal will probably be very important to trace down Newcastle and retain the possession – one thing that hosts won’t give away simply.

Ought to Barcelona survive the preliminary onslaught and burst of power, they are going to have a worn-out opposition to take down within the second half of the sport and may capitalise, as occurred earlier this season.

Will Flick tweak the defence?

Newcastle United carry with them a critical aerial menace in assault, one thing Barcelona are usually not accustomed to defending towards, nor have an ideal observe file with.

Anthony Gordon, in all probability, will begin up high for the hosts, and he enters the sport in red-hot kind.

With ten targets in as many UEFA Champions League appearances, he has been a giant menace in entrance of aim. His physicality and talent within the air make him a harmful opponent, and it thus stays to be seen what Flick decides on the defence.

Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin put up a strong efficiency towards Atletico Madrid and Athletic Membership, and can be the pure option to proceed because the beginning pair. Nevertheless, neither participant boasts of a robust aerial presence.

The one participant obtainable who can present that tick within the field is Ronald Araujo, however one is compelled to ask the query if the Uruguayan is able to step it up within the UEFA Champions League as soon as extra.

In any case, it was in the identical competitors that he final made a game-defining error that compelled him right into a hiatus from the sport to disconnect and recalibrate.

The pairing Flick opts for will depend for a giant a part of Barcelona’s defensive ways, buildup-phase, and stability on the again. His determination, thus, will probably be essential.c