Newcastle United return to the UEFA Champions League with the anticipation of a city that has waited for more than a year for elite European competition, but their clash with Barcelona at St. James’ Park on September 18 carries echoes of famous European nights gone by.
Supporters still recall Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick against the Catalans in 1997, and this new meeting feels like the next chapter in a famous story.
Eddie Howe’s side secured qualification by finishing fifth in the Premier League last season with 66 points and also ended a trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup. Their last Champions League campaign in 2023/24 ended in the group stage, so there is pressure to show progress.
The Tyneside summer window was shaped by Alexander Isak’s £125 million ($170m) move to Liverpool, offset by the arrivals of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Barcelona begin their latest campaign after last season’s Champions League semifinal run where they fell to Inter Milan in extra time, a defeat that stung but also showed their return to Europe’s elite under Hansi Flick.
Their domestic form this season has been strong, though the absence of Lamine Yamal and Gavi leaves gaps in a squad that had looked settled.
For Newcastle, early league form has been mixed, but their home win over Wolves reminded everyone of their home strength. Barcelona, by contrast, have started their La Liga season strongly, scoring 13 goals in their opening four matches and recently thumping Valencia 6-0.
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Newcastle United vs. Barcelona lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Newcastle will make their Champions League return with two key absentees in attack and midfield.
Summer signing Yoane Wissa will not feature after suffering a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo where he had scored twice. The striker, who joined from Brentford on deadline day, was expected to play a central role but his setback kept him out of the narrow 1-0 win over Wolves at the weekend.
In his place, new arrival Nick Woltemade seized the opportunity, marking his debut with a towering header that sealed all three points for Howe’s side. The 23-year-old, who arrived from Stuttgart, is expected to retain his spot up front.
Jacob Ramsey is another absentee as he continues recovery from an ankle problem. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon is available for selection in Europe despite serving a domestic suspension
Newcastle United (4-3-3, right to left): Nick Pope (GK) — Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento — Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton — Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Injured: Wissa (knee), Ramsey (ankle)
Suspended: None
Barcelona travel to St James’ Park with several injury concerns, which could shape Flick’s plans for this opening Champions League game.
The big absentee is Spain star Lamine Yamal, who was left out of the travelling squad due to a persistent groin issue. Additionally, Gavi remains a long-term absentee with a troubling knee injury that may still require surgery, while Frenkie de Jong faces a race against time after suffering a muscle issue on international duty with the Netherlands.
The Catalan club are still without experienced goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is recovering from back surgery and not expected to return until later this year, meaning Joan Garcia could start between the posts.
Alejandro Balde is ruled out with a hamstring problem suffered in training and his absence forces changes in defence as Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia are expected to anchor the backline together with Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin.
Pedri and Fermin Lopez will carry the creative burden in midfield behind the attacking trio of Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, and Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): J. Garcia (GK) — Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin — Casado, Pedri — Raphinha, Lopez, Rashford — Lewandowski
Injured: Ter Stegen (back) , De Jong (muscle, doubt), Balde (hamstring), Gavi (knee), Lamine Yamal (groin)
Suspended: None
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona match details
- Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 5 a.m. AEST (Sep. 19)
- Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne (England)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase Matchday 1
- Referee: Jerome Brisard (FRA)
- VAR: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)
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