Brave Toon taught Champions League lesson - Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
A big effort and brave display from Newcastle United, but not quite enough to stop the brilliant Barcelona leaving St James’ Park with all three points on Thursday night.
The buzz around the city could be felt all afternoon, the atmosphere was electric and Wor Flags’ superb displays created a stunning spectacle once again. However, despite our best efforts, we didn't score early when on top, Barca weathered an early storm and found two moments of quality as their technical ability shone through.
It was a first half lacking in goals, but certainly not in effort and intensity, as we flew out of the traps and pressed Barcelona ferociously from the off.
We didn’t let them settle at all and had one big early chance, seeing Elanga’s burst of pace and sharp low cross missed by Gordon, who completely failed to connect. Barnes was next to go close from Bruno’s through ball, although he had drifted offside.
Our press was incredible in the opening 20 minutes and much like our approach to that cup final win over Liverpool, as Livramento pushed up to pressure right-back Kounde, Barnes drifted inside and Burn pulled wide to take right winger Raphinha in a bid to suffocate the visitors.
At the opposite end, other than a Rashford a dummy doing Trippier on the break and a few big blocks from Schar and Burn, Barcelona created very little in the first 45, but did grow into and begin to show their quality in possession, pushing us back as the half wore on.
However, the biggest chance of the half fell to us, as more good work from Elanga saw his run and cross set up Barnes at the back post, who saw his low effort saved well by Garcia.
Joelinton and Burn both went into the book for late tackles, and the Brazilian was guilty of a few misplaced passes just as we hoped he’d set us in behind, highlighting his limited passing ability that stood out against a technically superior Barca side.
The second half kicked off with a chance for Joelinton, who headed a decent chance wide before Schar made a big block, only this time with his head and at a cost as he was soon forced off with possible concussion.
The fast start to the first half wasn’t replicated in the second and two quickfire Barcelona goals punished us badly. First a break from Bruno’s giveaway at the other end of the pitch ending in Rashford heading home on 58 minutes, then a moment of magic from the Man Utd loanee nine minutes later. Burn lost the ball and we were soon made to pay, as Rashford skipped past Tonali and smashed in off the bar from just outside the box. A stunning strike to silence St James’ Park and quickly kill off our hopes of a famous win.
In between the two goals, Howe made four changes as Woltemade, Murphy, Willock and Thiaw replaced Barnes, Elanga, Joelinton and Schar. We also saw Botman replace Trippier, who seemed to pick up a knock late on.
As our physical levels dropped, Barcelona’s technical levels went up a notch and they looked destined to see it out comfortably, with Pedri and De Jong putting on a midfield masterclass at times with their ability to keep the ball and evade pressure.
However, we were handed a late lifeline as some lovely combination play between Tonali, Bruno and Woltemade ended with Murphy crossing for Gordon to finish just before seven minutes of stoppage time was signalled.
Aside from one Tonali shot and a late throw in launched into the box, Barca saw out stoppage time well, drawing fouls and playing around some tired black and white bodies that had ran out of steam at the end of a big effort.
Seven more to go in the Champions League, lots of lessons learned and positives to take, but first a tough trip to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Newcastle XI (4-3-3): Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Subs: Thompson, Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, J.Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Willock, A.Murphy, Miley
Howay the lads!
