Newcastle eye revenge against Barcelona in first-ever Champions League knockout clash | OneFootball

Newcastle United are preparing to host Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at St James’ Park on Tuesday.

It will be the second meeting between the two sides this season after Barcelona claimed a 2-1 victory on Tyneside during the league phase earlier in the campaign.

Eddie Howe’s side have reached the Champions League knockout stage for the first time. Their route to the last 16 came through a convincing play-off victory over Qarabag.

A commanding 6-1 win in the first leg effectively decided the tie before a 3-2 victory in the return match confirmed their progress. The challenge now becomes significantly greater.

Barcelona arrive on Tyneside as one of the most experienced sides in Champions League knockout football.

Hansi Flick’s team secured fifth place in the league phase to advance directly into the last 16.

The Spanish giants also reached the semi-finals of last season’s competition and are determined to go even further this year.

Their recent form suggests they are beginning to build momentum. Barcelona have recorded four consecutive victories across all competitions heading into the first leg.

They have also kept eight clean sheets across all competitions since the start of the year.

Newcastle head into the match from a more turbulent domestic backdrop. Recent weeks have produced mixed results, including a narrow defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.

However, with European qualification through the league increasingly unlikely, the Champions League has taken on even greater significance.

Howe’s players know the scale of the opportunity in front of them.

St James’ Park will provide a hostile and energetic atmosphere as Newcastle attempt to raise their performance to another level.

However, the visitors possess a blend of youth, experience and attacking threat capable of punishing any lapse in concentration.

Their previous victory in Newcastle earlier this season will give them confidence heading into the tie.

With both teams chasing continental progress and prestige, the first leg promises to be a fiercely contested battle from the opening whistle.