Howe relishing 'historic' Barcelona clash on Champions League return

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is relishing the chance of facing Barcelona in their first match of their Champions League, a fixture he described as "historic". 

The encounter at St. James' Park will be the fifth meeting between the two clubs, with Newcastle winning the first match 3-2 back in September 1997 under Kenny Dalglish. 

Newcastle have, however, lost each of their next three fixtures against Spanish opponents, with luck against teams from that part of Europe unfortunately not on their side. 

They have previously faced Spanish opposition 11 times in major European competitions, winning six of those matches (lost five), including each of their last three in succession.

Barcelona's formidable attack caught the eyes of many in 2024-25, though Hansi Flick's star-studded frontline will be missing Lamine Yamal, who is ruled out through injury. 

Of managers with 10+ games in charge of a team in the Champions League, the two teams with the highest goals per game average are both Flick sides – 3.2 with Bayern Munich (2019-2021) and 3.1 with current club Barcelona. 

And Howe acknowledged that Newcastle will need to be strong tactically if they are going to get the better of Barcelona.

"It's a historic fixture. It'll be an amazing game to experience. I'm really excited to sample the atmosphere," said Howe.

"[They are] A very good technical team, very good in possession, very comfortable on the ball, all their players look at ease in that respect.

"A lot of pace in wide areas, they're free scoring and started the season very well. All of those things lead to us having to defend very well so the gameplan has to be strong.

"We've started the season very well defensively, so a continuation of that is going to be needed."

Yamal is a notable absentee for the LaLiga champions, with the teenager having already registered four goal contributions (two goals, two assists) in three league games. 

He also played a crucial role in helping Hansi Flick's side reach the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, netting five times as well as providing three assists. 

Yamal also completed more dribbles (56) than any other player in the competition in 2024-25, 17 more than AC Milan's Rafael Leao, who was second in that metric. 

"For me, it's a shame he's not playing," Howe said.

"Disappointed we don't get to see him at his best. But whoever they play, they have real pace in wide areas, international players who will challenge us in different ways."

And one of those wide players who could deputise in Yamal's position is Marcus Rashford, who often relished fixtures against Newcastle during his time in England. 

Rashford has been directly involved in eight goals in 11 career starts against Newcastle (five goals, three assists), including four in six starts at St. James' Park against them (two goals, two assists).