Barcelona star Paul Cubarsi played the full match as his team were very lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United comfortably the better team and well worth a win.
Having already hit the post, Newcastle’s superiority eventually told, as the former Leicester City winger guided home Murphy’s cross.
However, having had only one tame effort on target in the match, Barcelona got a get out of jail card when the referee played beyond the four minutes extra that had been announced.
Lamine Yamal rescuing an undeserved draw.
Paul Cubarsi has been speaking ahead of the second leg.
Despite Newcastle’s superiority at St James’ Park, the Barcelona star says the La Liga side will definitely win against Newcastle United on Wednesday night. In fact, he is already thinking about Barcelona’s likely opponents in the quarter-finals.
Pau Cubarsi stating: “Wednesday’s game…I’m sure we willl go through.”
The Barcelona defender continuing: “Because we going to give it everything. Whoever we face after that [in the Champions League quarter-finals], we will be willing to give our all.”
The Barcelona player also talking about their worst result of the season.
Barcelona hammered 4-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final v Atletico Madrid last month, the winners of Barcelona v Newcastle United look set to play Atletico Madrid as they hold a three goal advantage over Tottenham.
Pau Cubarsi declaring: “It was a shame not to reach the final. I remembered the disallowed goal at the Metropolitano but also that we didn’t play a good game there. We must demand more of ourselves.”
Barcelona won the second leg 3-0 but it wasn’t enough.
Pau Cubarsi also finding it difficult to deal with the rules now, where only the team captains able to question referees.
Cubarsi stating: “It is now difficult to address them, with the new rule that only the team captain can do it. If you are angry about a decision of his, the best thing to do is to get out of there.”