When Anthony Elanga scored the second equalizer in the first half, Newcastle United’s dream wasn’t just standing still – it was thriving.
The Magpies faced Barcelona again and this time at the Nou Camp of all places. Meanwhile, in the Sun, Toon’s goal tally tripled in 28 minutes.
However, it soon became apparent when Lamine Yamal converted his penalty to give Barcelona a 3-2 lead before the break that Hansi Flick’s side were playing to their strengths.
What started as plucky underdogs on the road to an upset has turned into an uphill football lesson for Eddie Howe and Newcastle. The Magpies were dismantled in a way that only Gary Neville would know back in England.
What went wrong with Newcastle against Barcelona?
Whether it was foolishness or bravery, Howe did not shy away from Barcelona’s challenge. Instead, his backline stepped up for large parts of the first half despite the danger that the pace of Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Yamal could have caused and ultimately caused.
In the opening exchanges, that top row allowed Newcastle to apply their press in the same way as the home leg. It allowed Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to close in on Eric Garcia, beating him twice in a matter of minutes.
But it also allowed Flick’s side to pounce, capitalizing on Lewis Hall’s slip to give Raphinha a crucial opening. It proved to be the theme of a hectic first half. The two teams almost played a game of chicken as they pushed their lines up, watching as the runners ate up the space, ending up with five goals between them.
Alas, all it took was one tweak on the break for Barcelona to take full control. It was a classic feed and change for the hosts, who often pulled one of Dan Burn or Malick Thiaw, before playing behind them. That second run when Newcastle went man to man was the difference.
However, amid all those tactical changes, Barcelona’s dominance came from a Kieran Trippier error just before the break. It just sets the tone for a night to forget.
Why Trippier shouldn’t start at Newcastle again
Trippier was the main target when Newcastle decided to push forward in the first half. When the Magpies lost the ball, he could only watch as Raphinha raced to get on the end of what would have been a guaranteed goal. The right back caught the Brazilian trying to block the goal.
After a VAR check, the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Trippier was lucky to escape a red card. I went into the break, it was one of the biggest disappointments for a fullback all season.
|
Kieran Trippier vs Barcelona |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
45 |
|
Duel success |
0/4 |
|
Priority Passes |
0 |
|
Dribbles |
0 |
|
Fighting |
0 |
To say that Trippier didn’t even leave a scratch on Raphinha would be an understatement. By the end of the half, the former Leeds United man had opened the scoring and won a penalty to give his side the lead before the break.
With the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday, Howe now has a big decision to make. His team needs to get dusted quickly, before they can hope to avoid a second defeat in the same season against their rivals.
It’s a must-see game for Tino Livramento to start. After Trippier’s dreadful display at Barcelona, starting a veteran full-back could lead to worse results than embarrassment at the Nou Camp.
Livramento, who has returned from a hamstring injury, dribbles more efficiently, recovers better and is passed almost once less per game than his teammates. Where Trippier has looked strong at times, the 23-year-old has been as tireless as ever and is the future of the club. The old politician will be lucky to start another game in black and white.
But with Livramento’s injury problems, he might have started at Barcelona and Newcastle might have endured a historic night for all the right reasons.
The Toon star recently had his worst game in a Newcastle vs Barcelona shirt
Newcastle United were humiliated 7-2 by Barcelona in their second game, with the Magpies star having his worst game so far under Eddie Howe.
