Newcastle’s Champions League dream draw as European giants await | Football | Sport

Following a comfortable victory over Qarabag in the knockout round, the Champions League is set to become considerably more challenging for Newcastle United. After dismantling the Azerbaijani champions 6-1 in the away leg, Eddie Howe’s team completed the task with a 3-2 second leg triumph at St James’ Park on Tuesday.

Awaiting them in the round of 16 are either Chelsea or Barcelona, who both avoided the play-off round by virtue of securing top-eight finishes in the league phase. Formidable opposition, certainly, but the Magpies could have been handed more demanding tests. Given their performances in the competition this season, United won’t be intimidated by either opponent. Here’s the essential information on Chelsea and Barcelona ahead of Friday’s last-16 draw…

Chelsea

Newcastle could face the west Londoners three times within a week, with the journey to Stamford Bridge on March 14 falling between the last-16 legs.

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It would give United the opportunity to get to know another new Chelsea manager, as Enzo Maresca was dismissed shortly after the 2-2 draw between the teams in December. The Blues’ performances under new boss Liam Rosenior have been respectable and they remain on track to clinch a top-four or five position.

Nevertheless, problems from the Maresca era remain, especially concerning discipline. Chelsea have accumulated a Premier League-leading six red cards this campaign and their late capitulation in the recent draw with Burnley indicates they’ve yet to master playing with a man down. This represents an opportunity United ought to exploit should the sides clash in the last 16.

Barcelona

Any reference to Newcastle and Barcelona naturally evokes memories of Faustino Asprilla cart-wheeling towards the corner flag during that memorable evening at St James’ Park in 1997, when the Colombian maverick single-handedly downed Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Co.

That stands as Newcastle’s sole triumph over the Spanish giants across five encounters, most recently during this season’s league phase when a Marcus Rashford-inspired Barcelona claimed a 2-1 victory. While Hansi Flick’s squad lead La Liga, they are far from invincible and recent performances have been inconsistent.

They suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey before an unexpected league loss at local rivals Girona following a dreadful defensive showing. With presidential elections approaching, it’s a pivotal period for Flick, who faces enormous pressure to secure silverware in either domestic or European competition.

Who would Newcastle prefer to meet?

It’s practically a toss-up, but considering Newcastle’s erratic Premier League form, a clash with Barca appears more favourable. Howe’s team would enter the tie as the underdogs, which could potentially play into their hands.