The Champions League last 16 is almost upon us, Newcastle United needing to get past Barcelona if they are to reach the quarter-finals.
Tuesday night sees an 8pm kick-off at St James’ Park, then in nine days time (Wednesday 18 March) it will be a 5.45pm start as Barcelona host United in the second leg.
So is this mission impossible for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United?
I don’t think so.
Here are a few reasons…
Barcelona are good but….
This is a good Barca team but not a great one.
They are beatable.
Only three weeks ago Barcelona lost 2-1 away at Girona who are fighting relegation in La Liga.
Barcelona have also lost in the league to Sevilla (currently 14th in La Liga), Real Madrid (2nd) and Real Sociedad (8th).
Atletico Madrid hammered Barca 4-0 in the cup, whilst in the Champions League this season PSG won 2-1 away at Barcelona, whilst Chelsea won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge (it was 1-0 and then Barca had a man sent off.
Back in September, the only thing dividing Newcastle United and Barcelona was a Marcus Rashford wonder goal.
A one-off
Now we are at the knockout stages, these are one-offs, well two-offs (home and away).
It isn’t a case of having to get results week in week out across a 38 match league season.
In a knockout competition just one moment in a match, in a tie, can change everything, for better or worse.
Six of the best
My reckoning is that Newcastle United have half a dozen key players, the ones who are the difference makers.
Bruno, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali, Gordon and Tino.
Our captain is of course out of action until further notice.
However, not impossible that all of these other five could start on Tuesday night, then very much not impossible in nine days time in the second leg.
Only two (Tonali and Hall) of the six started against Man City, whilst Joelinton and Gordon were given most of the shift off, only coming on for the later stages. Whilst Tino made a very welcome comeback at last from the bench.
Obviously Eddie Howe will have to take the advice of the medical staff, however, it could be possible we see all of these starting against Barcelona on Tuesday night and asked for a massive effort, then the same again eight nights later, with their minutes managed in between at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jacob Ramsey is another bonus, his one game suspension was ridiculous BUT the fact he can come back fresh for this Barcelona match is a major boost. He has been in great form recently and looking a very good signing, with injuries not having helped him to settle early on.
Dan Burn was also on the bench against Manchester City and he has proved a key figure for Newcastle United in the Champions League this season, at both ends of the pitch.
Harvey Barnes warmed up for tomorrow with a high quality goal against Man City, that is the kind of clinical finishing we need.
Jacob Murphy missed Saturday due to a neck issue and the hope is that he and as many of the others can be available, so that Eddie Howe has the strongest possible bench as well as starting eleven.
This is the moment
It has been a near impossible task for the NUFC boss as he has tried to keep United going in as many competitions as possible, whilst at the same time not risking bringing players back from injury too soon.
I am not suggesting any kind of reckless behaviour in terms of endangering players negligently to harm.
However, this is the moment, players that maybe Eddie Howe would have previously played safe with, giving them more time…well, this is the time where everything possible has to be thrown at getting the results home and away against Barcelona. So Eddie Howe will look to use every possible key player he can, to get Newcastle United into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Newcastle United can do it.