Howe Urges Newcastle to seize a historic opportunity as the Magpies face Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 first leg
Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, has urged his players to become club legends by producing a famous result against FC Barcelona when the sides meet in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
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Howe delivered the rallying call ahead of the encounter at St James’ Park, telling his squad they have the chance to replicate one of the most cherished nights in the club’s history.
Supporters of Newcastle still speak fondly about the club’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Barcelona in the 1997 Champions League group stage, when Faustino Asprilla scored a memorable hat-trick with key deliveries from Keith Gillespie.
Howe, who was beginning his playing career at Bournemouth at the time, recalled watching that iconic contest on television as a teenager.
“Yes, I watched the game. I was very focused on my playing career, but you couldn’t miss that moment. It was one of those legendary games,” Howe told reporters on Monday.
The Newcastle manager said his current squad now has the opportunity to carve out its own place in the club’s history by defeating a star-studded Barcelona side coached by Hansi Flick.
“Of course, we want people in future years to be talking about this team,” Howe said. “Tino Asprilla gets a hat-trick from those Keith Gillespie deliveries on the right. I’d want our players to be talked about the same way in 20 or 30 years.”
Newcastle have reached the Champions League last 16 for only the second time, marking a powerful milestone in the club’s revival since Howe arrived in 2021 when the team was struggling in the Premier League.
Backed by the financial strength of the club’s Saudi ownership, Howe has overseen a dramatic transformation that has returned Newcastle to Europe’s elite competition.
The Magpies lifted their first major trophy in 56 years last season after defeating Liverpool FC in the League Cup final, a result widely celebrated by supporters.
However, Howe suggested that overcoming Barcelona could represent an even greater achievement.
“There are only 16 teams left and we are one of them,” Howe said. “It is very much an opportunity to grab a moment that we may never get again. You don’t know what life brings tomorrow, let alone future seasons.”
He added that his players must avoid regret by embracing the scale of the occasion.
“We don’t want to kick ourselves. We don’t want to waste the opportunity and think what ifs. So this is a moment for us to grab.”
Howe also stressed that adopting an underdog mentality could help Newcastle challenge the five-time European champions.
“That’s very much the mentality we need, rising to the occasion and embracing the size of the game,” Howe said. “We are going to need every psychological tool because there’s no denying we are playing a very good team, an outstandingly well-coached team.”
Newcastle already faced Barcelona earlier in the competition, losing 2–1 at St James’ Park in the group stage following a double from Marcus Rashford.
Despite the defeat, Howe believes the experience will help his side prepare for another daunting challenge.
“When you are playing the very best teams, you take a lot of that with you going forward,” Howe said. “Hopefully we can learn lessons from that tie.”
Also read: Barcelona step up €80m chase for Victor Osimhen
For Newcastle, Tuesday’s contest represents more than a knockout fixture. It is a rare opportunity to create a defining chapter in the club’s modern era.
