The famous Barcelona motto, “Més que un club,” translates to “More than a club.” For Newcastle United, their upcoming match holds a similar significance, representing more than just a game. It stands as the most financially rewarding encounter in their history, with a win potentially bringing in nearly £15 million. Victory would not only keep their season alive but also surpass all their previous memorable nights. On the other hand, a defeat could mark the end of one of the club’s most successful and storied periods in recent memory.
Being eliminated from the Champions League, coupled with the slim chances of qualifying for next year’s tournament, would feel like closing a significant chapter in Newcastle’s journey.
This week is particularly special, as it marks the first anniversary of their Carabao Cup victory. Now, in Barcelona, 10,000 loyal fans have traveled along, hoping that their story continues to unfold under the Spanish sun.
Yet, predictions and logic may falter in the face of Anthony Gordon’s rapid and sharp play. Logic often takes a backseat in the thrilling second legs of Champions League knockout matches.
As Newcastle manager Eddie Howe remarked amid the construction at the Nou Camp, “We are in as good a place as we’ve been all season.”
This is a team that has recently defeated Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea in consecutive matches, with a draw against Barcelona nestled in between.
Newcastle’s players take in the magnificent Nou Camp on Tuesday night ahead of the game
Nick Woltemade (left) and Sandro Tonali are all smiles as they prepare for the big match
They have four players almost certain to be in the England squad this week – Gordon, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. The latter pair could be Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup full backs.
Their most recent memory of playing Barcelona, just over a week ago, is of their pace terrifying a young backline. At the other end, Yamal was spotted at Barcelona’s training ground on Tuesday, finally free of the darkness of Hall’s pocket. So there is hope, there is reason to believe.
‘You want the size of the game to lift the players and to make us grow,’ said Howe. ’Certainly we can’t shrink. We will enjoy the game when it comes but we will only truly enjoy it if we deliver what we know we need to deliver. I think we’re in a good place to do that.
‘The players are probably as confident as they’ve been at any stage this season. Our recent performances have been really strong. The individuals in our team are performing at a really high level and that hasn’t always been the case this season, so hopefully we are peaking at the right time. There’s been a much better feel.’
But even a well-timed run can end with a face-plant against opposition of this class. That is why the alternative needs to be considered. Exit, even with pride, and the season then hinges of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby. Beyond that, talk will continue of a summer of high turnover. Some stars, such as Sandro Tonali, Gordon and Livramento, will likely have interest from elsewhere.
I asked Howe about the consequences of the result. Mes que un match.
‘I understand the question,’ he said. ‘But for me, in these moments, you can’t think too deep about outcomes or what happens after or what it may lead to in the summer. It’s about the here and now and preparing for a game as best we can. Win or lose, the game goes on. I don’t want to heap too much pressure on the players. I just want them to try and execute the best performance they can.’
Howe did admit that this was the biggest game of his 17-year managerial career and would be, in turn, the biggest win. But, win or lose, there needs to be appreciation for the four-and-a-half-year journey he has taken the club on. This season, there has been strong online criticism from a small section of the fanbase.
Lewis Hall got the better of Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the first-leg draw
‘A year ago yesterday we won the Carabao Cup,’ said Kieran Trippier. ‘I just block out all the noise, especially about the manager. It goes in one ear and out the other. What he’s done for this club is remarkable.’
Trippier is out of contract in the summer and unlikely to sign a new one. He was Howe’s first signing in 2022 and arguably his most important.
‘When I arrived, I never thought we’d be playing Champions League football,’ he said. ‘We’ve been to the Champions League twice and two cup finals. We can’t forget how far we’ve come in a short period of time. When you’re 19th in the league and only have one win (in 2022), I don’t think anybody expected us to be here!
‘Most importantly, we’ve earned the right to be here. This is where we want to be. This is where the football club needs to be, in Europe. We’ve seen what these special moments mean to the club. This can still be a fantastic season.’
For Howe, Trippier and Newcastle, this is more than a match.
