Smart Flick Move Ahead of Newcastle Showdown
8 March 2026
Ahead of the Newcastle Showdown
Barcelona arrived in Newcastle on Monday to face the English side at St James' Park on Tuesday, in the first leg of the Champions League last-16.
Newcastle United are in this round for the first time in club history after sweeping Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate in the playoff, finishing the league in 12th place.
Barcelona finished the league in fifth, clinching their 20th last-16 appearance and continuing their familiar presence in Europe's knockout rounds.
This season's tie is a rematch, with Barca winning 2-1 in the opening league clash.
Flick tweaked travel plans to grant the players extra rest after a hard 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, staying overnight in Bilbao and then flying privately to Newcastle at 11:30 a.m., avoiding an early morning wake-up.
The team will train tomorrow at St James' Park after a press conference featuring a yet unnamed player.
Punchline 1: Flick's travel plan was so clever that even the pillows filed for travel refunds. Punchline 2: If Barca win, the return journey might need a bigger suitcase for all the celebrations—and the post-match tactical analysis on the plane's wifi.
