Barcelona have officially discovered their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 opponent and it’s Newcastle United. The club shared their reaction to the draw on their official X handle, with Bojan and members of his staff offering measured but confident responses.
Bojan said;
Our first reaction is that we have to be focused on ourselves. In this point of the season, it doesn’t matter the team that you play against. Newcastle are a strong team, we know them, we played against them already this year. Our team, it’s important to arrive in the game, to be prepared. We believe in our players, we believe in Hansi, in our staff. We are working very good, very hard. We have to be positive. In football, you cannot think about that. Even before the game against Newcastle, we had two Spanish league games. We had the Spanish Cup game on next Tuesday. In football, the most important thing is the next game, because in every game you play for the points, for the titles, especially now. Like I said before, our players are working very hard.
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Bojan made it clear that Barcelona’s mindset will not change regardless of the opponent. The German coach stressed the importance of focusing on their own performance levels rather than getting caught up in external narratives.
While acknowledging Newcastle as a “strong team,” he reminded fans that Barça have already faced them this season, referencing their 2–1 victory at St. James’ Park during the league phase in September 2025.
Despite the excitement of a high-profile European tie, Bojan was quick to shift attention back to domestic priorities. With two La Liga fixtures and a Copa del Rey clash coming up before the Champions League first leg, he emphasized the need for a “next game” mentality in what is shaping up to be a packed and demanding schedule.
Barcelona head into the knockout stage in strong form. On February 22, 2026, they reclaimed top spot in La Liga with a commanding 3–0 victory over Levante at the Spotify Camp Nou. Goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermín López sealed the win after Real Madrid dropped points against Osasuna, further boosting confidence around the squad.
There are, however, ongoing storylines off the pitch. Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, has been a major contributor in Europe this season with five Champions League goals.
Although he remained on the bench against Levante due to minor knee concerns, he remains central to Barça’s European ambitions. Meanwhile, negotiations continue over his future, with Manchester United reportedly holding firm on a €30–52 million permanent fee and refusing to lower the buyout clause.
As reported by Softfootball and other outlets, Barcelona are also working to secure long-term protection for their La Masia talents, reinforcing the club’s commitment to building sustainably while remaining competitive at the highest level.
The first leg against Newcastle is scheduled for March 10–11, 2026, with the decisive return leg set to take place at Camp Nou the following week. With Barcelona top of La Liga and finding rhythm at the right time, the stage is set for a fascinating European showdown.
