St. James’ Park prepares for a night charged with memory and meaning as Newcastle United host Barcelona in their Champions League opener, the clubs meeting for the first time since 2003 when Radomir Antic’s side eased past Bobby Robson’s men 2-0.
Newcastle United now arrive with a fragile but vital sense of momentum after record signing Nick Woltemade scored on his Premier League debut against Wolve.
His header not only ended a run of three matches without victory but also amplified the responsibility placed on the 23-year-old German who scored 17 Bundesliga goals for Stuttgart last season and was signed to replace Alexander Isak after his deadline day exit.
Barcelona come in with the momentum of champions, having lifted La Liga last season under Hansi Flick.
The Catalan side has opened their title defense with ten points from four matches including a resounding 6-0 demolition of Valencia on Sunday when Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez each struck twice in their biggest win since 2016.
More: Newcastle vs Barcelona: Head-to-head record, iconic meetings ahead of St. James' Park reunion
Lewandowski looks to close in on Messi record
For Barcelona the spotlight falls naturally on Robert Lewandowski who stands at 105 Champions League goals, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
But the story that grips most is his pursuit of Messi’s unique record of scoring against 40 different clubs in the competition, with the Pole currently on 38 and needing just two more to draw level.
He has punished Europe with doubles and trebles and have punished some of the Europe’s finest- he has scored nine against Benfica, six against Real Madrid, four against Arsenal, and has a solitary strike even against his former club Bayern Munich.
But Newcastle remain absent from that list and the prospect of breaking new ground on Tyneside will be on his mind.
The big question for Barcelona is whether Hansi Flick chooses to start him at St James Park or instead rewards Ferran Torres who has been in strong form and continues to press his claim for a regular place in the lineup.