Barcelona went into the international break with no shortage of question marks over their side, and not just over their stadium, which seems to be a weekly conversation these days in Catalonia. It was a 1-1 draw in Vallecas against Rayo Vallecano that took the headlines before the players flew off for international duty.
On its own, a 1-1 draw at Rayo would not have been a result worthy of any alarm bells, with Barcelona having won just once in their last five attempts at Vallecas. However it was Hansi Flick’s words after the match, asking his players to leave their egos at the door, that added more weight to the matter.
After putting six past a lacklustre Valencia side at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, Barcelona travel to face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. The atmosphere on Tyneside is formidable most of the time, but a Thursday night under the lights, on their Champions League debut this season, promises to be a raucous occasion.
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It has been a tricky summer for the Magpies, who have lost Alexander Isak after an almighty battle with Liverpool, but Eddie Howe’s side still represent a tough task for Flick’s side. They will be able to match up to the Blaugrana physically, and while Flick seeks a game with more space in general in La Liga, that should suit Newcastle two. Howe’s outfit have only lost once this season, and that was against Liverpool, who squeaked past Newcastle with a stoppage time winner, despite the hosts being reduced to ten men.
The game will be sure to give an insight into Flick’s thinking for the coming months, with several question marks over the starting XI. In central defence, Eric Garcia has started the last two games, while Ronald Araujo has spent most of this season on the bench. On the other hand, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez are locked in an intense battle for the number 10 spot. Ahead of them, it remains to be seen whether Robert Lewandowski is still seen as first choice ahead of Ferran Torres, or the Spain international is now ahead in the pecking order.