Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he is disappointed that Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal will not play in Thursday’s highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League clash, Afrosport reports.
The 18-year-old Spaniard of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean heritage is currently out with a groin injury which saw him miss Saturday’s emphatic 6-0 La Liga win over Valencia.
Howe speaking ahead of the match, however believes the Catalan giants still have players that can step in and cause problems for the Magpies at St. James’ Park.
“Yeah, for me it’s a shame that he isn’t playing,” he said.
“Disappointed that we don’t get to see him at his best, and playing in the game. But, whoever they play they’ve got real pace in wide areas; we know that. They’ve got, international players that will challenge us in different ways.
“So I think structurally our team performance has got to be really strong. I think we’ve got to defend well in wide areas. So yeah, we’re looking forward to that battle.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick praised Howe for the formidable team he has built since he took charge in November 2021.
“I was never here in this stadium [before], but what I heard from my player, it’s one of the best, maybe the best, atmosphere here in the Premier League,” the German tactician said.
“And I expect really a strong team, tall team, with a high intensity, with a lot of dynamic to go in the second balls. Vertically they are playing really good, so.
“It’s a team now they’ve built over the last years, and Eddie Howe [Newcastle United manager] really and his coaching staff made a fantastic job.”
Newcastle vs Barcelona at St James’ Park 🤤#UCL pic.twitter.com/iXfsDt3wrq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 18, 2025
Newcastle and Barcelona previously met in the second round of the Champions League back in the 2002-03 season, with the La Liga side winning 5-1 on aggregate.
They also met in the 1997-98 group stage, the Magpies winning the first leg 3-2 at home before losing the return leg 1-0 away.
