Barcelona VP underlines team’s Champions League aspirations – ‘It is always the objective…’ | OneFootball

The road to Budapest begins tonight for FC Barcelona as they take on Newcastle United in their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League opener at St. James’ Park.

The La Liga champions are one of the favourites to lift the European trophy this season after having stumbled at the semi-final stage last time around.

As such, Hansi Flick & co. will be intent on starting off the tournament with a strong performance and a victory against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle later tonight.

Rafa Yuste on Barcelona’s Champions League objective

Speaking to Que T’hi Jugues in the lead-up to the game, FC Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste underlined the team’s ambition to go all the way in the Champions League.

“The Champions League is always the objective that a club like Barça should have, but we must not obsess. We have a lot of enthusiasm, and enthusiasm leads to triumphs,” Yuste remarked.

Chasing UCL glory. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

However, it was not lost on the Barça vice president that facing Newcastle United, in their own backyard, will not be an easy challenge.

“The Premier League is a league with brutal pitches. Tonight there will be a brutal atmosphere, but the team is used to it,” he noted.

“It will be a difficult match, but we are very excited and eager to do well.”

This will be Barcelona’s third visit to Newcastle for an official match. The Blaugrana lost 3-2 on their first trip during the 1997/98 season, while they managed to secure a 2-0 victory in 2002/03.

Flick’s men go into the game with momentum on their side after thrashing Valencia 6-0 in La Liga this past weekend, and will be hoping to put in another statement performance tonight.