Two surprises in the starting XI! Official lineups for Newcastle-FC Barcelona

Newcastle and FC Barcelona face each other on matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 at St. James' Park stadium. The Azulgrana team arrives at the match with four absentees due to injury and Hansi Flick makes four changes compared to his XI against Valencia. Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong return to the starting lineup.

The Uruguayan will once again be accompanied by Pau Cubarsí in the center of the defense, while the Dutchman returns from his muscular injury as a pivot alongside Pedri. Raphinha also returns as a winger, replacing Roony Bardghji, and Robert Lewandowski, who starts for the first time this season. Ferran Torres will be a substitute, as will Eric García.

Let's review the starting lineup, the substitutes' bench, and the injured and suspended players of Barcelona under Hansi Flick for the match against Newcastle. Full analysis!

Barça's starting XI:

1. (#13, GK) Joan García
2. (#23) Jules Koundé
3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
4. (#05) Pau Cubarsí
5. (#18) Gerard Martín
6. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
7. (#08) Pedri
8. (#16) Fermín López
9. (#11) Raphinha
10. (#14) Marcus Rashford
11. (#09) Robert Lewandowski

Barça's bench (substitute players):

1. (#25, GK) Szczesny
2. (#31, GK) Diego Kochen
3. (#07) Ferran Torres
4. (#15) Andreas Christensen
5. (#17) Marc Casadó
6. (#20) Dani Olmo
7. (#22) Marc Bernal
8. (#24) Eric García
9. (#26) Jofre Torrents
10. (#28) Roony Bardghji
11. (#29) Toni Fernández

Injured Barça players:

1. (#01) Marc-André ter Stegen
2. (#03) Alejandro Balde
3. (#06) Gavi
4. (#10) Lamine Yamal

What will be the surprises and tactical variations of Flick's Barça against Newcastle?

Hansi Flick changes his offensive trident again, with the inclusion of Raphinha and Lewwandowski. Brdghji and Ferran will go to the bench, while Lamine is out due to injury. For his part, Araujo returns to the center of the defense alongside Cubarsí, while Christensen and Eric await their opportunity for the second half.

Goalkeeping and defense

• Joan García will be in goal, while Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí will be the center-backs. Jules Koundé and Gerard Martín appear on the wings. Eric García will be a substitute for the first time this season, along with Andreas Christensen. Alejandro Balde is out due to injury, and Jofre Torrents remains an alternative on the left.

Midfield:

• As a pivot, Frenkie de Jong will partner Pedri in midfield, while Fermín López remains in the starting XI as an attacking midfielder after being the MVP against Valencia. Dani Olmo, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal must wait for their opportunity on the bench. Gavi is out due to injury.

Attack:

• In attack, Raphinha and Marcus Rashford complete the Azulgrana attack alongside Robert Lewandowski. The Brazilian was a substitute against Valencia due to a delay, but he scored a brace in the second half, as did 'Lewy'. Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji await minutes in the second half. The 'Shark' also enters the bench after four consecutive starts in the League.

Barça's absentees: Who is missing the match against Newcastle due to injury?

Lamine Yamal, also ruled out for the Barça-Newcastle

A total of four Barça players will be confirmed absentees due to physical problems. Lamine Yamal remains sidelined due to a groin injury that could keep him out for at least a couple more weeks. As it is pubalgia, the club will not take any risks with the reappearance of the '10', who began to feel discomfort before the trip with Spain to Bulgaria and Turkey.

Alejandro Balde will also not be available, due to an injury to his left hamstring that is expected to keep him in the infirmary for another week. The third absence for Barça in Newcastle will be Gavi. The midfielder remains separated from the group due to discomfort in his right knee that, if it persists, will force him to undergo surgery to 'clean' the meniscus.

For now, the club is opting for conservative treatment, pending the evolution of the '6'. The last absentee, the most prolonged, is Ter Stegen. The goalkeeper underwent surgery on July 29 in Bordeaux and will be out for between four and five months, according to the deadlines set by the club. For now, the German continues his recovery at the Ciutat Esportiva.

Newcastle's lineup: A gala XI for the English side?

• Starting XI: Pope; Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
• Bench: Ramsdale (GK), Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafh, Osula, Willock, Murphy, Woltemade, Miley.
• Injured: None

Newcastle, meanwhile, arrives with its entire team available for its home debut in the Champions League. Eddie Howe's side is coming off their first Premier League victory against Wolverhampton (1-0) thanks to a goal from their new scorer, the German Nick Woltemade.

However, the German, surprisingly, will be a substitute against Barça. Newcastle takes to the field at St. James' Park with Pope in goal and the experienced Trippier and Livramento as full-backs. The central defensive duo will be Schär-Burn, while in the center of the field, the powerful trident formed by Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton will return.

In attack, Harvey Barnes is the main novelty, replacing Woltemade. Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon accompany the English '11' in a classic 4-3-3 that hopes to hurt the Culés with a vertical and very physical game, trying to take control of the center of the field from the initial whistle.

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