Barcelona beat Newcastle United on the pitch in the Champions League but appear to have a great deal of respect for the club.
Indeed, the two clubs are linked by Newcastle United legend Sir Bobby Robson, who managed the Catalan giants between 1996 and 1997 before finishing his storied managerial career at St James’ Park.
They have now met five times, with the Spanish champions winning all four encounters since Tino Asprilla’s famous hat-trick for Newcastle against Barcelona in 1997 saw the Magpies record a 3-2 win.
On Thursday, Barcelona beat Newcastle 2-1 in the Champions League at St James’ Park thanks to a brilliant Marcus Rashford brace.
Barca players and staff were very respectful about the club after the game and it seems the relationship between the two teams was enhanced.
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Barcelona impressed with Newcastle United’s off-field gesture
According to The Chronicle, the Barca camp left Tyneside happy with Newcastle’s off-field gesture.
While UEFA regulations meant Newcastle had to let Barca train at St James’ the night before the game, it seems the Magpies went above and beyond.
Newcastle also let Barcelona use Whitley Park – where the club’s U21 team play – for another session on Friday morning. That can surely only be a positive.
They seemingly didn’t have to do that, and the report suggests the relationship between the two clubs has now hit new levels. That can surely only be a positive.
Barcelona issue statement after training at Newcastle United’s U21 ground
On Friday, a statement was posted on Barcelona’s official website.
It revealed that those who were not involved in Thursday’s game were training there, while those who started the clash did their warm-down session in a hotel in Newcastle.
It read: “The players woke up on Friday morning cheered by the memories of their win in the Champions League opener, but there was training to be done before they caught their flight back from northeast England to Barcelona. For this one, they were divided into two sets of players.
“The substitutes last night made their way to Newcastle United’s training ground at Whitley Park, where they exercised as normal. Meanwhile, the starters at St James’ Park stayed in the hotel for a warm-down session, and then everyone regrouped to head to the airport and home.
“There is no time to wallow in the glories of Thursday night for there is another game not much more than two days away. On Sunday, Getafe will be coming to the Estadi Johan Cruyff.”
Barca host Getafe on Sunday night as they continue to try and chase down archrivals Real Madrid, who are leading them in the La Liga table by five points.
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