At a Glance
- Several top stars make Barcelona and Newcastle joint XI
- Tonali and Lewandowski the biggest absences
- The two sides play each other on Wednesday
Newcastle United and Barcelona meet in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League second leg tie tomorrow night (March 18th). The two sides played out an enthralling 1-1 draw at St James’ Park in the first leg.
The Magpies cruelly missed out on one of their most famous European wins when Lamine Yamal scored a penalty right at the death. The Spanish winger is one of the very best attacking talents in world football, but he spent most of the game in Lewis Hall’s pocket.
Eddie Howe and Hansi Flick would love to have both of those players on their teamsheets tomorrow rather than against them. That’s why Read Newcastle have assembled a starting XI of players from both teams.
Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
In goal is Joan Garcia, who has been impressive since making the move to Barca from Espanyol last summer. The Spanish shot-stopper has kept 11 clean sheets in 22 La Liga games, although he is without one in the Champions League.
Garcia produces stunning saves and has superb reflexes that have him fighting Unai Simon for Spain’s number one jersey. He sees off competition from Aaron Ramsdale in this joint XI, although the Newcastle goalkeeper has been solid between the sticks in recent weeks.
Right-back: Tino Livramento
A controversial call, but one that has merit, is Tino Livramento taking the right-back spot over Jules Kounde. The English full-back has been sensational, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Livramento’s pace, athleticism and dribbling abilities are on display every time he’s on the pitch. While Kounde boasts more experience and obvious proven success, on the basis of this season, it’s the Magpies man who gets the nod.
Centre-back: Malick Thiaw
Arguably, the best defensive signing made in the Premier League this season has been Malick Thiaw. The German arrived on Tyneside from AC Milan and has been a rock for Howe.
The only error he’s made with the Magpies is giving away that penalty in the first leg after tripping Dani Olmo. He is extremely reliable at the back with his six-foot-four-inch frame, but also in set-piece situations, finding the net five times this season.
Centre-back: Pau Curbarsi
Barca’s defence isn’t as formidable as it once was when the likes of Carlos Puyol and Gerard Piqué were partnering up at Camp Nou. But they’ve unearthed a gem in Pau Curbarsi, who looks the real deal.
Curbarsi is incredibly agile, pacey and excellent on the ball while also very rarely putting a foot wrong when defending. The Spaniard also seems to have the right mentality, speaking confidently about the Catalans’ chances of beating Newcastle tomorrow.
Left-back: Lewis Hall
This feels like the season in which the whole of Europe has taken notice of Lewis Hall. His exploits in the first leg, which prevented Lamine Yamal from having any joy, were remarkable.
Wayne Rooney was among those to hail Hall after the game, and it’s just one of several spectacular showings. He is surely Thomas Tuchel’s starter for England at the World Cup and would walk into the Barca team.
Central midfield: Frenkie de Jong
When Frenkie de Jong is at his best, there aren’t many more elegant ball-playing midfielders in world football. The Dutchman makes everything look easy, controlling the temp and also helping out his defence.
Whether he is operating as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder, he wows fans when he gets on the ball. This was a tough decision because Sandro Tonali has been so impressive throughout his spell at St James’ Park, but the former Ajax man just shades it.
Central midfield: Bruno Guimaraes
If Newcastle manage to defeat Barca, they will have done so without their most important player. Bruno Guimaraes is Howe’s main man, and the Brazilian’s all-round game is simply astonishing.
Guimaraes’ vision, ball retention and marauding runs have been at the heart of the Magpies’ success in recent years. He’s a leader who would probably deserve to wear the captain’s armband in this team.
Central midfield: Pedri
Dictating play comes to Pedri as naturally as a duck to water, and he is one of the most entertaining footballers on the planet. His footballing IQ puts him in a league of his own among similar midfielders in Europe.
Pedri is still only 23 but plays with such maturity, understanding when to make the right pass or run. He is a dream for any manager and will be hard to stop at Camp Nou tomorrow night.
Right wing: Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal probably had one of his worst games in Blaugrana colours against the Tyneside giants last week. But he still managed to get on the scoresheet, and even when he’s not at his best, he makes an impact.
Barca fans have watched this pacey and tricky 18-year-old winger’s meteoric rise, and there is a growing feeling that he is the heir to Lionel Messi. His dangerous left foot unlocks defences and often finds the back of the net from where he lets fly.
Striker: Anthony Gordon
Leaving Robert Lewandowski out of this XI feels wrong but the Barca striker’s best days are behind him at 37. That’s not the case for Anthony Gordon, who is effective in any position, including centre-forward.
Gordon has come to the fore in the Magpies’ side this season and been their most prolific goalscorer. If Howe’s men are to prevail at Camp Nou, they will be desperate for the England international to shine bright.
Left wing: Raphinha
Raphinha has become a world-class attacker since joining Barca from Leeds United in 2022. The Brazilian’s importance in Flick’s team sometimes goes under the radar because most of the focus is on Yamal.
With 17 goals in 29 games across competitions this season, he is a constant threat in front of goal. His pace and hardworking playing style are a crucial part of Flick’s tactical setup.
