Newcastle host Barça in Champions League last-16 first leg
Howe: ‘It’s an opportunity to grab a moment we never get again’
For Eddie Howe it was quite a statement. “Barcelona is the biggest game in this club’s history,” said Newcastle’s manager. “It’s massive.”
Given Howe usually seems allergic to exaggeration it was a surprising way to approach Tuesday night’s Champions League last 16 first leg with Hansi Flick’s side.
Admittedly, Newcastle have never gone this deep into Europe’s showpiece competition before but their past contains a big enough share of cup finals and title tilts to make that assertion somewhat arguable. Not that a Barcelona team made to work hard for a 2-1 win at St James’ Park in the competition’s league phase in September are treating their return to Tyneside lightly.
