Eddie Howe shares 1997 inspiration he will use in his team talk vs Barcelona

CommentsLee Ryder Chief Newcastle United Writer12:00, 10 Mar 2026Eddie Howe called on the spirit of 1997 to help Newcastle United earn their biggest win in the club’s modern history against Barcelona.

The Magpies’ season will be as good as over if they bow out to Barca in the last 16 after slipping down the Premier League and into the bottom half of the table.

Howe had no issues playing up his stars in comparison to 90s heroes Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie. In the corridors of St James’ Park is a portrait of Asprilla after the Colombian got a hat-trick against Barcelona 29 years ago.

Howe said: "In 30 years' time, I want our players to be talked about the way Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie are now.

“There was a reason why that Barca game was the best atmosphere because the team played so well.

“That is because the team gave the crowd what they needed, and that is what we have to give them.”

Newcastle have already lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League this season. Howe hopes to use the defeat as further inspiration.

He said: “It (the atmosphere) was incredible in September and we couldn't do our bit in the previous game, but we know the crowd will be there when we need them.”

Howe also had no issue taking the tag of underdogs and said: “I think for me that is the mentality we need.

“Rising to the occasion and embracing the size of the game has helped us. “The underdog role has helped us when the odds are stacked against us, and we need to use every psychological tool we can.”

Howe spoke of the game being the biggest in Newcastle’s history as the Magpies embark on their first ever knockout game in Europe’s premier competition.

He said: “There's only 16 teams left and we are one of them.

“We don't want to waste that opportunity and this is a moment for us to grab it.

“Over my time of four years, we have worked really hard to get to this point.”

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more£8.99£0AmazonGet Amazon Prime hereProduct DescriptionNewcastle United have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they host Barcelona on March 10. Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day trial.

Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.