Newcastle - Barcelona: Who will replace Yamal?

FC Barcelona without Lamine Yamal are preparing to kick off their European campaign against Newcastle this Thursday, September 17, on the boiling pitch of St James' Park with .

The Catalans, eliminated in the semi-finals last season by Inter Milan after a grueling encounter, are looking to move forward and win on the first day of this Champions League group stage. However, Hansi Flick must cope with a significant absence, that of Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old prodigy, who has a pubic injury, is not in the squad that traveled to England. This news would reshuffle the cards on the attacking front and could offer Robert Lewandowski the opportunity to regain a starting place. The Polish striker, lacking confidence in recent weeks, will have the opportunity to remind everyone that he remains an essential penalty killer in major matches.

Rashford in pole position

Although Yamal will be missing, Barcelona can fortunately count on other creative forces to animate its attacking play. Pedri , in great form in recent weeks, is establishing himself as the true conductor of this new generation of Barça. Author of a technical recital against Valencia (6-0) last Sunday, and already decisive in the national team against Turkey, the Spanish midfielder is expected to break the opposing lines and smooth the transitions. Around him, Raphinha and Fermín López should occupy a central role, while Marcus Rashford, recently loaned by Manchester United, could be in the starting line-up to bring impact and depth. A promising attacking quartet that will have to find its bearings quickly to avoid being intimidated by the English intensity.

However, it's not all rosy for Hansi Flick, who has to deal with a full injury squad. In addition to Yamal, Barça will be without Marc-André ter Stegen, Alejandro Baldé, and Gavi, all of whom are unavailable for this trip. Frenkie de Jong, still recovering, remains a doubt, even though he's in the squad. These absences weaken a squad that is already rich and experienced, but they also highlight the emergence of young talents like Pau Cubarsí and Marc Casado, who are expected to take on more responsibility. For Flick, the challenge is clear: maintaining a balance between experience and youth, while establishing his style of play against an opponent renowned for his physical power and suffocating pressure.

Gordon's Return

Opposite, Newcastle return to the Champions League with ambition and a certain thirst for revenge. Absent from the competition last season, the northern English club wants to mark its return by striking hard. Eddie Howe, true to his energetic and direct style, is counting on a generous and disciplined team. German recruit Nick Woltemade has already scored, while Anthony Gordon, suspended in the league but available for this match, could start from the start. The Magpies, without Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa, will have to contend with a reduced squad, but their incandescent crowd will act as a twelfth man. Memories of their thunderous victory against PSG (4-1) in 2022/23 testify to their ability to transcend this type of encounter.

This clash promises to be a close one, between a Barça confident in its strength but weakened by injuries, and a Newcastle eager to regain its place in the European elite. The two clubs have not met since March 2003, a time when the Catalans won 2-0 thanks to Patrick Kluivert and Thiago Motta. Twenty-two years later, times have changed, but the anticipation remains. While Barcelona has historically dominated its European debut, with only three defeats in its first 29 matches played, Newcastle is counting on the fervor of St James' Park to write a new page in its history. The duel promises an electric atmosphere and a spectacle worthy of the event, between two clubs that have never stopped dreaming big.

What time will the meeting take place?

The match between Newcastle and FC Barcelona , ​​which will be officiated by Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg, will kick off at 9:00 pm this Thursday at St James Park.

What TV channel is Newcastle - FC Barcelona on?

This match will be broadcast on the Canal+ Foot channel.

What streaming broadcast is there for this match?

If you are a subscriber, you will be able to watch the Newcastle - FC Barcelona match via the MyCanal application.

The probable lineups

Newcastle's likely team : Pope - Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento - Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton - Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon. Barcelona's probable team : J. Garcia - Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin - Casado, Pedri - Raphinha, Fermin, Rashford - Lewandowski

The different coasts

FC Barcelona remain slight favorites against a Newcastle team that is still finding its rhythm at the start of the season. Betclic : Newcastle 2.72 / Draw 3.73 / FC Barcelona 2.35. Unibet : Newcastle 2.75 / Draw 3.80 / FC Barcelona 2.36. Parions Sport : Newcastle 2.75 / Draw 3.75 / FC Barcelona 2.30. Winamax : Newcastle 2.70 / Draw 3.80 / FC Barcelona 2.30.