Barcelona vs Newcastle United – Combined XI | OneFootball

Barcelona and Newcastle United do battle in the UEFA Champions League last 16 tonight.

The tie is perfectly poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, with the stakes high in Spain ahead of this evening’s return. Ahead of their crucial clash, we’ve selected our Barcelona and Newcastle Combined XI.

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia – Barcelona

Garcia was heavily linked with Newcastle last summer but admitted there was only one destination once Barcelona firmed up their interest. The Spanish shot-stoppers had an excellent start at the Camp Nou and leads La Liga for clean sheets and save percentage.

Right-back: Joao Cancelo – Barcelona

Back in Barcelona like he never left. The full-back returned to Catalonia from Al-Hilal in January and has made an immediate impact, with a goal and assist in four league starts. An excellent, experienced addition to boost the club’s trophy pursuits.

Centre-back: Malick Thiaw – Newcastle

Thiaw will be determined to rectify last week’s late error against Barcelona, a rare blip in an otherwise impressive debut season at St James’ Park. Such has been the German’s level, a series of sides are reportedly prepared to offer the Magpies an instant profit on last summer’s £30m investment.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona

A fixture in the Barcelona backline from the age of 17, Cubarsi is a unicorn of a centre-back talent. The Spaniard’s defensive displays demonstrate a maturity far beyond his experience, with the club’s centre-back position seemingly locked down for the next decade.

Left-back: Lewis Hall – Newcastle

Lewis Hall appears to be getting better and better in a Newcastle shirt. The 21-year-old’s duel with Lamine Yamal was a fascinating watch and will again be a decisive battle tonight. On current form, he should be England’s starting left-back at the World Cup this summer.

Midfield: Sandro Tonali – Newcastle

Newcastle’s best comes when the Magpies’ midfield trio steamrolls opposition teams. No player epitomises that more than Sandro Tonali, whose pace and power make him a real box-to-box threat.

Midfield: Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle

Alongside Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes has cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders. Newcastle’s disappointing domestic campaign has overshadowed an outstanding individual season for the Brazilian. His nine goals in the Premier League are a career-best for the team.

Midfield: Pedri – Barcelona

The most notable La Masia midfielder not to have been made in La Masia. Barcelona snapped up Pedri from Las Palmas as a teenager, and he has fit in at Barcelona like a glove.

The 23-year-old has a strong argument as the world’s best midfielder, with a technical security that few peers possess. He’s emerged as the perfect successor to Barcelona great Andres Iniesta.

Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

If Pedri is the world’s best midfielder, Lamine Yamal might be the world’s best footballer, full stop. It’s an extraordinary thing to say about a player who is still just 18, but Yamal is the sort of talent that comes along once in a generation, if that.

He’s been untouchable at times this season, with 14 goals and nine assists in 22 La Liga starts.

Left-wing: Raphinha – Barcelona

Somehow still under-appreciated despite his importance to Barcelona. A weekend hat-trick was a reminder of Raphinha’s quality, with the winger a revelation in last season’s double-winning success.

He recorded 60 goals and assists in 2024-25 and was an odd omission from the very top spots of the Ballon d’Or vote.

Forward: Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona

Newcastle’s post-Alexander Isak plan has not worked out as hoped, with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa unused substitutes last week, in an indication of their struggles.

Robert Lewandowski might be 37, but he remains lethal. The Pole has 11 goals in 11 La Liga starts this season.

Read – Iconic Performances: Asprilla’s hat-trick downs the mighty Barcelona at St James’ Park

See more – Sporting become fifth team in UCL history to overturn three-goal deficit

Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube