Newcastle United welcome Barcelona to St James’ Park for the first of eight thrilling Champions League ties.
The summer transfer window is now over, and the fans can now turn their attention to the Premier League and other competitions.
The Champions League draw took place in late August, and Newcastle United’s name was in the pot for this season’s tournament.
Newcastle were in pot four for the Champions League, meaning they are one of the lowest-ranked teams in the competition. However, it just means that some exciting European nights are on the horizon, with the Magpies welcoming the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Athletic Club to St James’ Park. It is the first time Newcastle have taken part in the Champions League’s new format, which was introduced in 2024 – a league phase with eight games, rather than the traditional group stage with six.
There have been some memorable Champions League nights in the past, including Newcastle’s historic 4-1 win against PSG at St James’ Park.
Some older fans will also remember a famous win against Spanish giants Barcelona, Newcastle’s first opponents in the competition this season, which included a memorable hat-trick from Colombian legend Tino Asprilla.
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The night Newcastle United schooled Barcelona at St James’ Park
In the 1990s, Newcastle were regular participants in Europe, with the likes of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish managing the club at the time.
In 1997, Newcastle were handed a tough group with Dynamo Kyiv, PSV Eindhoven, and Barcelona.
While Newcastle had mixed success against Kyiv, they lost both of their matches against PSV. However, it was one night at St James’ Park which lives long in the memory.
Newcastle were without club legend Alan Shearer, who was out injured with a ligament injury. They needed a hero, and Asprilla stepped up to the almighty challenge.
The Barcelona team was stacked with legends, including Luis Enrique, Luis Figo and Rivaldo, but it meant nothing to the Newcastle players that night.
Barcelona came to Tyneside on 17 September 1997, but they had no clue what was coming. Asprilla went on a rampage for the Magpies, scoring a magnificent hat-trick in 48 minutes, and while Barcelona managed to score twice in the second half, it was not enough, and Newcastle took all three points.
Asprilla never scored another goal for the Magpies, but he had already done enough to cement his legacy as a legend on Tyneside.
What Tino Asprilla said about his hat-trick for Newcastle United against Barcelona
Asprilla was known for his extravagant personality off the pitch and staggering ability on it. The striker left Newcastle at the end of the 1997/98 season, having scored 9 goals in 11 European games.
While his time on Tyneside lasted just two years, he won fans over with his personality and is still recognised by the club today. In 2022, Garang Kuol said he watched videos of Asprilla before joining Newcastle, and he was also part of the Magpies’ third kit release video earlier this year.
It may have been nearly 30 years ago, but Asprilla is still more than happy to talk about THAT hat-trick against Barcelona.
“Scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League was far from easy. It was only after the game that I understood what I’d achieved,” Asprilla told the Champions League website.
“It’s wonderful because, after you retire from the sport, you’re left with all these achievements.
“From the first minute, I showed Barcelona I was there to achieve something big. [For the first goal] when I saw that none of my team-mates were brave enough to say, ‘I’ll take it [the penalty]’, we all looked at each other, and I grabbed the ball.
“When I saw the goalkeeper going the right way, I whipped the ball closer to the post. Although he got a touch, it was impossible for him to save it.
“Keith Gillespie was one of the fastest players I’d ever seen. He wouldn’t cut back and look up, he’d just get to the byline and cross it in.
“When the cross came [for the second goal], I jumped – and, when I did, the ball landed on my head with great force. I made contact, and luckily the ball went in over the goalkeeper.
“[For my third goal] I got away from Nadal by feigning to go to the near post. When the defender went there, I dropped back. I looked at the goalkeeper and directed the ball exactly where I wanted.”
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