‘Yes, we’ve faced Chelsea and Manchester City before, but…’ Newcastle star admits Barcelona were simply too good on the ball | OneFootball

FC Barcelona kicked off their UEFA Champions League 2025-26 campaign in remarkable fashion last night, beating Premier League side Newcastle United 2-1.

The opening 25 minutes were frenetic and end-to-end, with Newcastle creating the better chances. However, once the visitors settled, they imposed their authority on proceedings.

Led by the midfield brilliance of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, the Catalans dictated the tempo, controlled possession, and limited Newcastle’s attacking threat for much of the game.

This superiority of the Catalan team on the ball was not only recognized by the club fans or neutral observers, but by the opposition as well.

Anthony Gordon, the Newcastle winger who scored his team’s only goal, speaking after the game as reported by Mundo Deportivo, admitted just how difficult it was facing Barça’s style.

Q: Anthony, was that almost a learning experience?Anthony Gordon: “Yeah, I think in ways. The way they keep the ball, it’s always a learning experience. We don’t play against that kind of style in England — not at that level anyway. I thought they were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game. Some of the plays in midfield were really top quality.”

Gordon went on to stress how impressed he was with Barcelona’s ability to control even the most intense moments of the match.

Q: I can’t imagine any side coming to St James’ Park, with you pulling a goal back and seven minutes of stoppage time, being able to keep the ball for virtually the whole seven minutes?Anthony Gordon: “No, neither can I. We’ve played against top teams like City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea… but the way Barcelona passed the ball in midfield, the way they were fluid in combining, it was really hard for us to press. And it’s not easy coming here and doing that because they’re under pressure. We pressed with intensity; we were very physical, but to be fair to them, they did really well.”

The winger also acknowledged the finer details of competing at the European level.

Q: Is that also a lesson — in Europe, with the intensity and pressing, that even slight contact can lead to fouls?Anthony Gordon: “Yes, I thought the referee had a good game overall. Towards the end, they (Barcelona) bought the free-kicks really well, which you wish weren’t given, but ultimately that’s football. I do the same myself, especially when trying to see a game out. They started passing, winning fouls, and those seven minutes became two minutes in no time.”

With such an impressive performance at a notoriously difficult venue, Barcelona fans will be hoping this strong start is a sign of bigger things to come.

Hansi Flick’s men still have plenty of challenges ahead, but this opening night display has once again raised expectations that the Blaugrana could finally reclaim European glory this season.