On Tuesday, Newcastle will host Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, in what promises to be a highly anticipated contest.
However, this is not the first time that Newcastle will face Spanish opposition in a European round of 16 tie.
In 2003/04, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League after they finished in third in the Premier League the previous season.
The Magpies would enter the qualification rounds, where Partizan Belgrade would beat Newcastle in front of their own fans on penalties.
Sir Bobby Robson led the team that season in what would be his final year at the Magpies.
The team included some Newcastle greats, including Shay Given, Gary Speed, Nolberto Solano, Craig Bellamy, and a 33-year-old Alan Shearer.
In the earlier round of the UEFA Cup, Newcastle took on NAC Breda, Basel and Valerenga, who offered little in the way of a threat.
Spanish resistance
In the Round of 16, Newcastle would take on RCD Mallorca, managed by Luis Aragones, who also managed other Spanish giants like Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.
Mallorca won the Copa del Rey in 2003, as they beat Recreativo de Huelva 3-0 with goals from Walter Pandiani and a 23-year-old Samuel Eto’o.
In the first set of rounds, Los Bermellones beat APOEL, Copenhagen and Spartak Moscow before setting up the clash at St James’.
The spring evening was set up for a tense affair, as this was only the second time the Spanish outfit had qualified for the UEFA Cup.
While for the Magpies, this was the first time they had reached a Round of 16 tie in a major European competition since the 1996-97 campaign.
European comeback
The first half left a lot to be desired for the second half, with the best chance coming to Eto’o, who fired it over the bar.
Yet it was Mallorca who would take the lead thanks to Eto’o’s striker partner, Fernando Correa.
Speed played a loose ball into the path of the Cameroonian striker, whose effort crashed off the crossbar before the Uruguayan forward headed it home.
This lit a fire under Newcastle, who would go on to demonstrate the power inside St James’ Park on a European night.
The first to hit back was Craig Bellamy, just ten minutes later, as he calmly placed the ball past an advancing Leo Franco to draw the game level.
Moments later, Shearer put Newcastle ahead as he glanced a header home from a Laurent Robert corner.
With the away goal rule in play, Newcastle needed to keep the foot on the throttle, as Robert added a third.
Mallorca were reduced to ten men as fullback Edu Moya was sent off for a second yellow, before a fourth arrived through Titus Bramble, who volleyed home from Robert’s free kick.
Following the games, Robson said his players showed the exact attitude that was required.
‘They showed great spirit, and it was a great fightback. The players showed real resilience.’
Newcastle went on to face Robson’s former club PSV in the Quarters, beating them 3-2 over two legs.
Unfortunately for Robson, his side would fall short in the Semi-finals, losing 2-0 to Marseille, with both goals coming from future Premier League legend Didier Drogba.
Tough test awaits
While Mallorca had quality on their side, Barcelona is a different animal, as Hansi Flick’s side is one of the favourites to go on and win the Champions League.
However, Newcastle supporters will be hoping for another inspired performance for another classic European night to come around.
When the Magpies found themselves trailing that evening, they responded quickly with determination and belief.
If Eddie Howe can capture the spirit that Robson was able to that night, another unforgettable game may be in store under the lights at St James’ Park.
