NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe talks to the media ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match against Barcelona at St James’ Park on September 17, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Harriet Massey/ Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United via Getty Images
Ahead of one of the biggest matches in Newcastle United’s recent history against FC Barcelona, head coach Eddie Howe insists he expects consistency from the Champions League campaign.
Newcastle hosts the Catalan giant at St James’ Park on Thursday night, and while Howe says he understands the excitement around the occasion and being back in Europe’s main club competition, results are crucial after the club failed to reach the knockout stages two seasons ago.
“Yes, we want magical nights, we want those moments that everyone remembers,” Howe said in his pre-match press conference.
“One off games are great but you also want consistent results. I’m sure during this Champions League season we’ll have games where we don’t perform as well but we have to find a way even in those moments to generate positive results.”
Despite the competition’s change of format from six matches in groups of four to eight matches in one 36-team league, with the top 12 progressing to the last 16 and all but the bottom eight going into the play-offs, Howe says Newcastle will be better for the experience last time around.
“The experience, the size and the magnitude of the games – everything that goes into the Champions League is different to the Premier League. The build up is different, the feel is different.
“Having done that before certainly helps us and the squad is arguably stronger. I back the quality that we have. They are tough fixtures for us. The early games are really important because they set the foundations.”
Barcelona is one of the best teams in Europe and among the favourites to lift the trophy this season, and Howe is expecting a very tough night on Tyneside.
“Firstly they’re a very good technical team. In possession they’re very comfortable on the ball. They have a lot of pace in wide areas and a lot of goals. You saw in their last game they’re free scoring and have started the season really well.
“All of those things lead to us having to defend very well so our off the ball game plan has to be very strong. We’ve started the season well defensively so a continuation of that is going to be important.”
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Newcastle United Captain Bruno Guimaraes talks to the media ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match against Barcelona at St James’ Park, on September 17, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Harriet Massey/ Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United via Getty Images
Bruno Guimaraes on Newcastle United ‘love affair’
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes says he never expected to enjoy such a strong relationship with the club’s fans when he joined the club.
Guimaraes, 27, has become a hugely popular figure since joining from Lyon in January 2022, having helped the club win its first domestic trophy for 70 years last season.
“When I signed I never thought I’d be able to go into any restaurant in the city and never have to pay the bill,” he said.
He says he tries to represent the fans on the pitch and wants to continue for years to come.
“I never thought this (love affair with the fans) would happen when I signed for the club, it’s been better than I thought it would be.
“When I put the shirt on I try to play like a Geordie.
“We have been together three-and-a-half years and everything has been amazing. I hope for this to continue.”
Guimaraes is refusing to set a target for Newcastle in its Champions League campaign, insisting the team can achieve big ambitions.
“We don’t want to put limits on our dreams. We want to take it game by game and see what we get. We are very excited and we hope we can go as far as possible.”
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