Barcelona are coming off a big win against Valencia with a 6-0 win seeming like the thing the team needed following the international break. Now, they face their toughest test so far as they travel away to Premier League side Newcastle United. With being one of the Champions League favorties, Barcleona will look to start off their European campaign with three points in difficult fixture without their key star.
Match Preview
Barcelona had a heartbreaking end to last year's Champions League campaign with a crushing 4-3 loss in extra time in the San Siro against Inter Milan. They will look to write the wrongs of previous campaigns by winning their sixth Champions League title in the club's history. It doesn't start easy, as they travel away to a raucous St James' Park to face off Newcastle United.
Newcastle have not been in the best form as they have only picked up one win in their first four games but this won't stop them from making the game as uncomfortable as possible for the Blaugrana. Their atmosphere is one of the best in Europe and their physicality is something that Barcelona aren't used to coming up against in La Liga very frequently. This could be a real test for Barcelona as they face a tough side and will be without Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and star man Lamine Yamal.
Expected Lineups
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livarmento; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade
Barcelona: Garcia; Kounde, Christensen, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Rashford, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski
There's a few likely changes to the lineup that started against Valencia as there are certain matchups Flick will keep in mind for this game. Raphinha gets his place back in the starting eleven ahead of Roony Bardghji as the Brazilian was dropped to due to being late to training. Lewandowski is anticipated to make his return to the starting eleven as he's recovered from his injury and is the third highest scorer in Champions League history. Frenkie de Jong could also likely to start as he's recorverd from his slight knock, with him anticipated to start over Marc Casado.
Cubarsi has been the main starter at centre back this season with Flick yet to decide a definitive partner next to him. With a match against a more physical opponent, we predict that Andreas Christensen or Ronald Araújo will be chosen ahead of Eric García, given their superior strength and physicality. The Danish international to be a favoured option thanks to his composure on the ball and ability to play out from the back.
Score Prediction
Barcelona 3-2 Newcastle
Barcelona will have the best match of the first Champions League matchweek as they continue putting on exciting matches like last season. Newcastle have enough to scare Barcelona but don't have the firepower to stop them. It will be a close game but Barcelona just have a bit more quality and win the match 3-2.