The Champions League last 16 draw has been made, with Newcastle United drawing Barcelona.
The Swiss League phase kicked off with a narrow 2-1 victory for Barcelona at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United bouncing back from that defeat to then win six and lose only one of their next nine Champions League games, joining Barca in the last 16 after getting through the play-off round.
Now Barcelona have given their official reaction to drawing Newcastle United.
The Barcelona Sporting Director is Deco, he has that rare distinction of winning the Champions League as a player with two different clubs. He did it with Porto in 2004 and Barcelona in 2006.
Deco was at Friday morning’s Champions League draw representing Barcelona.
After drawing Newcastle United, Deco reacting: “This level is tough…people have their opinions, and they know how difficult the clubs are, but it is a tough draw for everyone. Now we have to prepare for the next match.”
UEFA say that we will know the dates of the matches by Friday night at the latest.
Tyneside is set to host the home leg on Tuesday 10 March or Wednesday 11 March, then the second leg in Barcelona on Tuesday 17 March or Wednesday 18 March.
As the seeded team, Barcelona getting the perceived advantage of playing at home in the second leg.
Deco asked about that: “It is an advantage but only if you approach the first match with seriousness. It is a very tough pitch [when playing Newcastle United at St James’ Park], we won [there in September], but we suffered.”
The likes of Gavi and Andreas Christensen are currently out injured and Deco confirmed that a new injury had impacted Barcelona.
The Barcelona Sporting Director stating that a hamstring injury picked up during training on Thursday is set to see Frenkie de Jong miss both matches against Newcastle United.
Deco saying about the Barcelona star: “It is a muscle strain and he is expected to be out for up to five weeks, he is unlikely to return before the international break.”
Here are all eight Champions League last 16 ties:
Manchester City v Real Madrid
Sporting Lisbon v Bodo/Glimt
Chelsea v PSG
Barcelona v Newcastle United
Liverpool v Galatasaray
Tottenham v Atletico Madrid
Bayern Munich v Atalanta
Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen
If Newcastle United get past Barcelona?
Newcastle United would then play the winners of Tottenham v Atletico Madrid
Who Eddie Howe’s side could face in a potential semi-final
Bodo/Glimt, Sporting Lisbon, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal.
Who Eddie Howe’s side could face in a potential semi-final
PSG, Chelsea, Galatasaray, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Man City, Atalanta, Bayern Munich.
Round of 16: 10/11 and 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 and 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April and 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (To be held in Budapest)