HaydnNUFC Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 FC BARCELONA @ St. James' Park Champions League knockout football (proper stuff, not the playoff shite): something we haven't actually played before BUT this is not the first time we have even played Barcelona in the last 16 of the CL, doing so in the second group stage of the 2002-03 Champions League when there were 4 groups of 4, using being in one with this lot. We lost, of course. Either way, these are back up here again after winning 1-2 in the opening game of the league stage back in September. Seems a fucking lifetime ago. LAST TIME OUT? Thought it was an alright first half performance to be honest where we probably should've scored. Going into half time in the lead makes it a slightly different game. But Pedri and Frenkie De Jong in particular's class shown in the second half and they cruised to the win in all honesty. Two goals from Marcus Rashford, one being a corker to be fair, put the game beyond us despite some late hope coming from Anthony Gordon's 90th minute goal. I'm not going to post the highlights of it here as I'm a bitter bastard. So here's the highlights from the 3-2 in 1997 instead; WHAT ABOUT THEM CURRENTLY? They sit top of La Liga and 4 points clear of Real Madrid and are by far and away the leading scorers in the league with 72 goals in 27 games. They finished 5th in the Champions League league table, with a record of 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. Their defeats came at home to an under strength PSG and at Chelsea, who stuffed them 3-0 (albeit Barca had a man sent off after 44 minutes). Their draw was a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge. They won their most recent game, 0-1 away at Athletic Club on Saturday. Unconfirmed but it reports were that Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Andreas Christensen are unavailable. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are doubtful after going off injured during Tuesday's Copa Del Rey game against Atletico Madrid. Lamine Yamal however, who was unavailable for the league stage game, is available for this. Good lawd. ANY TIES BETWEEN THE CLUBS? Patrick Kluivert; Played for Barcelona from 1998-2004, 257 apps, 122 goals. Played for Newcastle United from 2004-05, 37 apps, 13 goals. Luuk De Jong (yes, really); Played for Newcastle United on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach from January-May 2014. 12 apps, 0 goals. Played for Barcelona on loan from Sevilla from 2021-22. 29 apps, 7 goals. Sir Bobby Robson; Managed Barcelona in the 1996-97 season, succeeding Johan Cruyff. Finished 2nd, won the Copa Del Rey, Cup Winners' Cup and Supercopa de Espana. Nurtured Jose Mourinho, signed Ronaldo Nazario. Moved to a directors role during the 1997-98 season before leaving to manage PSV Eindhoven. Managed Newcastle United from September 1999 to August 2004, succeeding Ruud Gullit. Revitalised Shearer's NUFC career, returned the club to the Champions League and led the club to 4th, 3rd and 5th placed finishes in 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively, our highest since 1996-97. Was replaced by Graeme Souness. HOW WELL DO WE DO AGAINST SPANISH SIDES AT SJP? 2025-26: Won 2-0 v Athletic Club (Champions League) 2025-26: Lost 1-2 v Barcelona (Champions League) 2006-07: Won 2-1 v Celta Vigo (UEFA Cup) 2005-06: Lost 1-2 v Deportivo La Coruna (Intertoto Cup) 2003-04: Won 4-1 v Real Mallorca (UEFA Cup) 2002-03: Lost 0-2 v Barcelona (Champions League) 1997-98: Won 3-2 v Barcelona (Champions League) 1994-95: Won 3-2 v Athletic Club (UEFA Cup) 1968-69: Won 2-1 v Real Zaragoza (Inter Cities Fairs Cup) Think we might have our work cut out, lads. In seriousness, I think to have any remote chance of progressing past these we need to take at the very least a draw here and make the game at the Camp Nou a one off. A lead would be superb but you still wouldn't expect us to be home and dry with any result given how Barca recently fought back a 4-0 first leg defeat in the Copa del Rey against Atleti the other day, just falling shy with a 3-0 win. However, if you can't get up for nights like these then you can fuck off tbph. Yanited. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Butcher Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Into these sangria shaggers. 2-1 win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouldy_uk Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 I’m so excited for this game that I can almost forgive that centre aligned text above Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myleftboot Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collage Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Need the performance of the season here, and a bit of luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnNUFC Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 7 minutes ago, mouldy_uk said: I’m so excited for this game that I can almost forgive that centre aligned text above Alreet formatting nonce. It's been on every CL match thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fak Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Can't believe you brazenly missed out Fransesco Coco's one season loan at Barca + his pre-season friendly for us at home to Yeading. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Sold two tickets for this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnNUFC Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 9 minutes ago, Fak said: Can't believe you brazenly missed out Fransesco Coco's one season loan at Barca + his pre-season friendly for us at home to Yeading. In tears now. Equally heinous you not pointing this out back in September, mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSG Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 (edited) Ramsdale Trippier Thiaw Burn Hall Ramsey Tonali Joelinton Elanga Gordon Barnes Subs: Pope, Livramento, Shahar, Botman, A Murphy, Willock, J Murphy, Osula, Wissa, Woltemade. Edited March 8 by NSG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 So how many do people think we need as a cushion for the second leg? Anything less than 2 to the good and I reckon we go out, quite possibly need 3 and then grab one over there. I do think we'll do them on Tuesday, just not confident in getting a big enough lead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benwell Lad Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 I think we can win over there. Hopefully we take a lead but a draw would still make a very interesting away leg. We've been solid away in the CL and are Barca better than PSG ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy84 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 31 minutes ago, Benwell Lad said: I think we can win over there. Hopefully we take a lead but a draw would still make a very interesting away leg. We've been solid away in the CL and are Barca better than PSG ? At the minute yeah I think Barca are better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guillaume Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Don't lose is the minimum requirement to have a chance in the second leg. I'd be over the moon with any victory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BermyToon Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 2 hours ago, NSG said: Ramsdale Trippier Thiaw Burn Hall Ramsey Tonali Joelinton Elanga Gordon Barnes Subs: Pope, Livramento, Shahar, Botman, A Murphy, Willock, J Murphy, Osula, Wissa, Woltemade. Can't disagree with this team. Hopefully can win by at least two goals. Play a 5-5-0 formation in the away leg. HTL! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBG Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 Ramsdale Shahar Thiaw Botman Hall Ramsey Tonali Joelinton Neave Gordon Barnes Subs: Pope, Ruddy, Burn, A Murphy, J Murphy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucasol Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 11 minutes ago, Slim said: Hopefully Yamal and Pedri get smashed to bits by the Whomping Willow as they walk round the grounds and Rashford ends up trapped down a shitter in the Chamber of Secrets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 (edited) Unfortunately I have no idea what that means. Lord of the ring or something? Edited March 9 by Slim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucasol Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 5 minutes ago, Slim said: Unfortunately I have no idea what that means. Lord of the ring or something? Wind in the Hobbits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 The afternoon tea at Matfen Hall could rule some of them out of the match. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 Can't wait for this, wasn't actually that impressed with them in our first game tbh. Think we will cause them problems and take a lead into the away game. 2-1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 I've predicted defeats more often than wins recently but I've got a great feeling ahead of this. I'm absolutely convinced we reigned it in against Man City to some extent and that would be a means to an end. I think we'll do em. Whether it's enough over two legs, not sure, but we beat them at St James'. Can't wait. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack j Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 I should be buzzing for this The type of game we could only dream of a few years ago But I just feel very meh about it Can't even explain why...please don't hate me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John P Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 3 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said: Can't wait for this, wasn't actually that impressed with them in our first game tbh. Think we will cause them problems and take a lead into the away game. 2-1 Problem with the first game was that Pedri and de Jong ran the show in the second half and we couldn't get near them (and that Rashford spanked one in the top corner from 25 yards). If de Jong is out injured we might be able to get more of a grip of the game in midfield, although Bruno is obviously a huge loss in this regard. If we can get Joelinton rampaging around like he has been recently though then I reckon we might be able to win that midfield battle, along with an improved Ramsey who is fresh from not playing at the weekend. Gordon up front to try and take advantage of their high line. Don't mention Yamal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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