Barcelona to face PSG or Newcastle as Champions League path takes shape | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are closing in on a defining moment in their European season, with all eyes fixed on Friday’s draw in Nyon. At 12:00 PM CET, the Catalans will discover not only their Round of 16 opponents but also their potential road all the way to the final in Budapest, as the entire bracket is unveiled in one sweep.

After the latest playoff results, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, there are only two possible rivals awaiting Barça in the last 16. One is Paris Saint-Germain, and the other is Newcastle United. The draw will take place at UEFA headquarters and will include only the eight teams that qualified directly for this stage.

A return to Paris is firmly on the table after there was no surprise at the Parc des Princes. The side coached by Luis Enrique eliminated Monaco with a draw in the return leg after securing a narrow away victory. Newcastle, meanwhile, cruised through their playoff against Qarabag with emphatic wins both away and at home.

Both potential opponents are familiar to FC Barcelona from the league phase of the competition. The Catalans opened their European campaign this season with a victory at St James’ Park before suffering a narrow defeat against PSG at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. This time, the scenario would change with Spotify Camp Nou set to host the decisive second leg in mid-March.

The first leg of the tie would be played either in Paris or Newcastle upon Tyne. Scheduling implications are also significant as domestic fixtures could be moved depending on the Champions League dates, including the league clash with Sevilla FC and the away match against Athletic Club.

Friday’s draw will also determine the wider landscape of the competition. The bracket will be split into two halves with four teams on each side, and no further draws until the final on Saturday, May 30, in Budapest. Should Barça be paired with PSG, they would find themselves on the same side of the bracket as Real Madrid, along with Atalanta BC and Galatasaray SK.

A draw against Newcastle would instead place FC Barcelona on the opposite side, where potential future opponents include the winner of Atlético Madrid versus Liverpool FC or Tottenham Hotspur. That half of the bracket also features Bodø Glimt and Bayer Leverkusen.

One detail is already confirmed regardless of the draw. Barça would play the second legs of both the quarterfinals and semifinals away from home. With the route to European glory about to be laid bare, all eyes now turn to Nyon as the Champions League dream enters its most decisive phase.