When Anthony Elanga scored his second equalizer in the first half, Newcastle United’s dream was not only alive but thriving.
The Magpies faced Barcelona once again, this time at the Camp Nou of all places. Elanga, on the other hand, tripled Thun’s goal tally in 28 minutes.
However, it soon became clear that Hansi Flick’s side were simply playing with their food when Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to give Barcelona a 3-2 lead before the break.
What started as brave underdogs heading for an upset turned into a tough football lesson for Eddie Howe and Newcastle. The Magpies were dismantled in a way only England’s Gary Neville knows how.
What went wrong with Newcastle and Barcelona?
Whether it was naivety or bravery, Howe did not hesitate to take on Barcelona. Instead, his backline stepped up for much of the first half, even though the speed of Rafinha, Fermín López and Yamal could and did pose a danger.
In the early exchanges, the raised lines allowed Newcastle to press as they did in the home game. This allowed Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to approach Eric Garcia and hit him twice within minutes.
But it also allowed Flick’s side to pounce, capitalizing on Lewis Hall’s slip to give Raphinha the decisive lead. That seemed to be the theme of the excitement in the first half. Both teams almost played a game of chicken, pushing the line high and watching their runners take advantage of the space, ultimately competing for five points.
Sadly, just a few adjustments at the break were all Barcelona needed to take full control. This was a typical bait-and-switch tactic for the hosts, who often dragged in either Dan Byrne or Malik Thiau and then played them at the back. That second runner made the difference when Newcastle went man-to-man.
However, amidst these tactical changes, Barcelona’s advantage began with a mistake by Kieran Trippier just before half-time. Just add some ambiance to a night you’d like to forget.
Why Trippier should never start for Newcastle again
Trippier was the biggest casualty as Newcastle pressed on in the first half. When the Magpies lost the ball, he could only watch as Raphinha ensured he had a shot at goal. The right-back grabbed the Brazilian in a fatal attempt to prevent a goal.
After a VAR check, the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Trippier, on the other hand, was lucky to avoid a red card. Caught at halftime, it was one of the fullback’s most disappointing plays all season.
Kieran Trippier vs Barcelona | |
|---|---|
minutes | 45 |
Successful duel | 0/4 |
key pass | 0 |
dribble | 0 |
tackle | 0 |
It would be an understatement to say that Trippier left no scar on Rafinha. By the end of the first half, the former Leeds United man had scored the opening goal and won a penalty, giving his team the lead just before half-time.
With the Tyneweir derby on Sunday, Howe has a big decision to make. His team must dust themselves off quickly before they can hope to avoid a second defeat in the same season against their rivals.
This is a game where you have to see Tino Libramento start. After Trippier’s horror show at Barcelona, starting a veteran defender could end up being far worse than the humiliation at Camp Nou.
Since returning from a hamstring injury, Libramento has averaged more successful dribbles, more recoveries and nearly one fewer dribble per game than his teammates. Trippier has looked long-legged at times, but the 23-year-old remains as tireless as ever and is the club’s future. The old politician will be lucky to start another game in black and white.
However, given Libramento’s injury problems, he would have been a starter at Barcelona and Newcastle might have endured a historic night for good reason.
The Toon Star just played his worst game in a Newcastle shirt in Barcelona vs. Barcelona
The Magpies star experienced his worst game to date under manager Eddie Howe, as Newcastle United humiliated Barcelona 7-2 in the second leg.
