Newcastle United Set for Thrilling Champions League clash with Barcelona,John Gibson Predicts Score Draw
Newcastle United is preparing for a highly anticipated Champions League match against Barcelona,evoking memories of a historic victory nearly three decades ago. Chronicle journalist John Gibson, speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, believes Thursday’s game will be ”extra special” and arrive at “absolutely impeccable” timing for the club.
Gibson reflected on Newcastle’s memorable 3-2 win against Barcelona in 1997, acknowledging the difficulty of replicating such a result against a currently strong barcelona side. Despite recent injuries to key players like Lewandowski and Rashford, and the absence of a promising young talent due to a groin injury, Barcelona demonstrated their strength with a 6-0 victory despite having a third of their squad sidelined.
“It’s nearly 28 years ago exactly when Newcastle won 3-2 against Barcelona in 1997,” Gibson said. “Barcelona are quality. Recently they’ve had a situation where Lewandowski and Rashford can’t get in the side, they’ve been on the bench. They’ve got the greatest young kid who is going to dominate for the next 10 years [although] I’m not expecting him to play with this groin injury.”
Despite Barcelona’s form, Gibson expressed confidence in Newcastle’s ability to perform on a big stage. “A third of their side was out with injury over the weekend and they won 6-0. I’m not trying to frighten myself [because] we are good under the lights on those big occasions. We rise to the occasion.”
Ultimately, gibson is predicting a 2-2 draw, stating, “This prediction I’m going with my heart more than my head. There’ll be goals and I can’t bring myself to forecast a defeat in a match as wonderful as this one.”
Listen to the full clip on BBC Sounds
