Thursday night saw Barcelona head to St. James’ Park and a Champions League opener against Newcastle United.
The Magpies faithful were no doubt dreaming of a repeat of their club’s 1997 heroics against the Catalan giants, conveniently forgetting that in the three games since that famous victory Newcastle had lost them all scoring just one goal in the process.
Both Eddie Howe and Hansi Flick like having their teams play on the front foot so the game was finely balanced ahead of kick-off.
Let’s take a look at three things that helped to define the outcome which saw Barca continue their superb recent record against the Premier League side.
Rashford redeems himself after slow start
It was certainly a game of two halves from Marcus Rashford.
The Manchester United loanee looked laboured and completely off the pace in the first-half, and nothing that he tried appeared to come off.
Lazy balls played and a lack of willingness to get back might well have got him hooked at the break on another night.
As it turned out, it will be his name flashed up in lights after his first two goals for the club ultimately won the game.
In front of the watching England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, Rashford flashed a powerful header past Nick Pope and followed it up with a rocket that flew in off the crossbar to silence St. James’ Park.
His beaming smile at full-time said it all.
Fermin does the dirty work
If there’s one thing that typifies Fermin Lopez it’s his driving runs from midfield and the ability to work the keeper with his eye for goal.
However, this was a game where he was unable to showcase his best assets. Instead he sacrificed himself for the team in a thankless role.
When a half chance did arrive he snatched at it, and for the most part he was consistently well marshalled by Newcastle’s mobile and physical midfielders.
However, his work rate, relentless running and willingness to break up play deserves credit on a night where we saw a slightly different side of the 22-year-old.
Another game, another quality showing from Joan Garcia, this time on his Champions League debut.
The keeper’s shot stopping in the game was insane at times and his athleticism continued to frustrate the Magpies front line.
It’s what culers have come to expect in what has been an incredibly encouraging start and were it not for him, things could’ve turned out a lot differently on Tyneside for Barca.
Surely one of the best signings of recent times.
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