Newcastle star sends message to Chelsea and Barcelona ahead of Champions League last 16 draw | OneFootball

Newcastle have reached the Champions League last 16 for the first time

Newcastle beat Qarabag 3-2 on Tuesday night to secure a dominant 9-3 win on aggregate in their knockout phase play-off.

Eddie Howe’s side have now won six of their ten matches in Europe this season, losing just twice and drawing with holders Paris Saint-Germain as well as Bayer Leverkusen.

One of those defeats came at the hands of Barcelona on matchday one and the reigning champions of Spain are a potential opponent for Newcastle in the round of 16.

As a result of finishing 12th in the league phase, Newcastle will face either Barcelona or Premier League rivals Chelsea in the next round.

The draw for the last 16 takes place on Friday and Murphy, following the second leg win over Qarabag, was asked which of the European giants he would prefer to play.

"Anyone," Murphy told Amazon Prime. "Honestly, with this group of players, we will take anyone on.

“Especially with knockout football, we back ourselves.

“Bring on whoever's to come."

The first leg of the Champions League last 16 ties are scheduled to take place on March 10/11, with the return legs a week later.

Should Newcastle draw Chelsea that would set up a trilogy of fixtures between the two clubs in the space of a week.

In fact, as the Blues will be at home for the second leg it would mean two trips to Stamford Bridge in quick succession for Newcastle as they are in west London on Saturday, March 14.