Newcastle United have no time to wallow in their (latest) chastening defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Not when they face what Eddie Howe described as “the biggest game in the club’s history” against Barcelona on Tuesday.
That designation of the Champions League round-of-the-16 first leg at St James’ Park felt surprising — the magnitude of the Carabao Cup final triumph 12 months ago is still fresh — though there is no question this tie is massive.
Its importance has only grown now that Newcastle have exited the FA Cup. With Newcastle 12th in the Premier League, the general success or otherwise of their entire campaign may now rest on Champions League progression.
Having lost to Manchester City over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final, Newcastle must learn lessons and apply them to Barcelona. Howe must reflect upon the 2-1 reversal against the Catalans on Tyneside in September and conjure a game-plan to down the Spanish champions.
“We need to elevate our performance to a level we’ve not seen before this season because that’s the only way we can get through,” Howe said.
The Athletic analyses what Newcastle must do to overcome Barcelona.
Rest — and train where possible
If there is one small mercy to come from Saturday’s defeat it is that Newcastle did not have to endure extra-time.
Although they eventually won their third-round tie on penalties against Bournemouth in January, those additional 30 minutes had a knock-on effect for the League Cup semi-final first leg at home three days later. Newcastle appeared fatigued against City and lost 2-0.
Tiredness will still be an issue against Barcelona. There is an even shorter turnaround between matches and Newcastle looked leggy during the second half. That is hardly surprising, given a team who has navigated 47 matches and had to play the second half of Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United with 10 men.
Jacob Ramsey has been one of Newcastle’s best players in recent weeks – he will return from a ban against Barca (Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Before Tuesday, Howe must ensure his players recover as much as possible, while maximising training sessions at tapered-down intensity to implement a strategy which overwhelms Barcelona.
Midfield balance — and make-up
The midfield blend simply has to change.
Bruno Guimaraes’ absence has robbed Newcastle of their talisman and creativity in the middle, so Howe has attempted to redeploy Nick Woltemade as a No 8 to try and compensate. But Woltemade’s conversion from a forward to a midfielder has not been anywhere near as instantaneous as Joelinton’s.
The latter must replace the former because Newcastle need the type of all-action, physical powerhouse display which Joelinton delivered against Manchester United, rather than the flashes of technical excellence which Woltemade can offer. Howe insisted Joelinton risked injury if he started three games inside a week, which suggests the head coach held him back.
Playing Nick Woltemade in midfield has not worked (Paul Currie/AFP via Getty Images)
With the in-form Jacob Ramsey available after suspension, Newcastle will benefit from the summer signing’s energy and technical quality. Howe’s team have looked at their best recently when he has been involved.
Sandro Tonali is a shoo-in at No 6. The Italian started alongside Joelinton and Guimaraes during the league-phase meeting, so Ramsey essentially becomes the latter’s replacement, even if he is not a like-for-like change.
In September, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong took control during the second half, just as City’s midfielders did on Saturday. De Jong is unavailable due to injury, but Newcastle must not allow Pedri and his team-mates the time and space to dictate proceedings as they did six months ago.
Joelinton, Ramsey and Tonali have to be nuisances, shadowing Barcelona’s midfielders and disrupting their passing rhythm.
Cut out the self-inflicted defensive errors
Although Newcastle did not quite “self-implode” — Howe’s word — like they did against Everton last month, they continued their habit of making defensive errors against City.
With no clean sheet in 13 across all competitions and three in 31 matches, Howe must find a way of shoring Newcastle up.
Tino Livramento’s return from a hamstring injury after a 15-match absence is timely and provides a huge boost.
Newcastle are a team transformed, offensively and defensively, when Livramento and Lewis Hall play simultaneously, yet they have started just six games together this season. The most recent was Sunderland away on December 14, the only match Newcastle have lost when they have both started.
Right-back Tino Livramento has been sorely missed but could start against Barcelona (Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)
Whether Livramento is ready to play the full 90 is the question.
Critically, Newcastle must not lose the tie on Tuesday and so bringing Dan Burn’s leadership back into the side feels important. While they would ideally triumph on Tyneside, they cannot allow themselves to become overeager in search of a home win.
Play the dynamic, rapid front three — and feed off the crowd
When Newcastle have been at their best under Howe, they have pressed relentlessly — a style the St James’ crowd have responded to, creating a symbiotic relationship which has driven the team to greater heights.
Without being gung-ho, too early, Newcastle must look to exploit Hansi Flick’s (in)famous high line. That was what Howe attempted to do in September, to promising early effect, with Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes repeatedly getting into space, only for poor decision-making and execution to let Newcastle down.
Will Osula scored a wonder goal off the bench against Manchester United but he failed to impose himself as a starter against Manchester City and Gordon, who had an ankle knock, must be restored at centre-forward.
Yoane Wissa continues to labour, while Woltemade is not suited to a high-intensity, high-pressing blueprint.
Barnes, fresh from ending a 12-game goal drought, should be deployed down the left as he possesses the finishing quality Newcastle require if they are going to be ruthless. Elanga, too, should play; despite the general limitations in his performances, his speed terrified Gerard Martin in the first meeting and can be a crucial weapon.
Seven of Gordon’s nine starts as a striker this season have come with Elanga and Barnes either side, including against Barcelona. The trio appear ideally suited to playing against a team who will leave yards of space in behind.
That is what they did early on in September, but Newcastle failed to turn their early pressure. They cannot repeat the same mistake; Newcastle must be clinical and ensure they take the lead.
If Howe’s side can do that, that would further energise the crowd and even Barcelona will find life uncomfortable at a raucous St James’ under the lights.
