Newcastle United take on Barcelona for the fifth time in the Champions League on Thursday and here is how the four previous meetings played out.
The night every Newcastle United fan has been waiting for for months is nearly upon us, as Eddie Howe will manage his side in the Champions League once again on Thursday night.
Newcastle gained a great confidence boost at the perfect time on Saturday, as they finally picked up their first victory of the Premier League campaign by beating Wolves 1-0.
Though a harder game than anticipated, Newcastle ground out the three points and record signing Nick Woltemade couldn’t have hoped for a better start by heading in the winning goal.
If not vintage, it was a galvanising win that has raised the mood around St. James’ Park at the perfect time ahead of Barcelona’s visit, a team they have a surprising amount of history with.
The Magpies have played Barca four times already in their previous European adventures and here is how each game went.
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Newcastle United results vs Barcelona
Newcastle have taken on Barcelona four times in the Champions League and here are the results from each meeting.
- 17/9/1997 – Newcastle United 3-2 Barcelona
- 26/11/1997 – Barcelona 1-0 Newcastle United
- 11/12/2002 – Barcelona 3-1 Newcastle United
- 19/3/2003 – Newcastle United 0-2 Barcelona
One of Newcastle’s most legendary European nights came in 1997, in their first competitive encounter with Barcelona ever.
A remarkable night on the Tyne saw Kenny Dalglish’s side storm into a 3-0 lead against a star-studded Barcelona, which boasted the likes of Luis Figo, Rivaldo and Luis Enrique in the starting XI.
Tino Asprilla was the star of the show, scoring a famous hat-trick within 49 minutes. Goals from Enrique and Figo made for a nerve-wracking closing stretch, but the Magpies held on for the win.
The meetings to come did not go as well. Barcelona won the return fixture in the group stage two months later thanks to Giovanni’s winning goal.
When the two clubs were drawn together again five years later, Barca won both games. At the Camp Nou, Shola Ameobi famously equalised after Dani Garcia’s opener, but Patrick Kluivert and Thiago Mota gave the Catalonians the win.
The duo would haunt Newcastle again in the return fixture, as they ran out 2-0 winners with two second-half goals.
Newcastle will be hoping to end the losing streak on Thursday.
Early team news for Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Both teams have been given positive and negative team news ahead of their opening Champions League league phase fixture.
Newcastle will welcome Anthony Gordon back into the fold, as his Premier League suspension – which still has two domestic games remaining – obviously does not apply in Europe.
However, Newcastle continue to be without new signing duo Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa, with the latter yet to even make his debut before picking up a knee injury on international duty.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are set to be without several key players. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is a major doubt with a groin problem, which would be a massive blow.
Meanwhile, fellow La Masia graduates Gavi and Alejandro Balde are both set to miss the game.
The Catalonians do have some good news, though, as Frenkie de Jong could be fit to return from a groin strain that kept him out of their 6-0 win over Valencia on Sunday.
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