Why isn’t Bruno Guimarães playing for Newcastle against Barcelona today?
In today’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Barça, Newcastle United will be missing a key element of Eddie Howe’s midfield.
Newcastle United will remain without the services of captain and key midfielder Bruno Guimarães today, as the Premier League team faces Barcelona in a Champions League knockout clash that represents a first for the Magpies.
What injury does Bruno Guimarães have?
Guimarães is not expected to return for Newcastle until April, as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury suffered a month ago.
On Feb. 14., the Brazilian was ruled out for several weeks after damaging his hamstring in Newcastle’s 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur. It was only his second appearance after a four-game layoff caused by an ankle issue.
No “miracle cure” for Bruno
“I don’t think there’s any miracle cure for him,” Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said at the time. “I think it will be a couple of months. You are probably looking at [a return after] the end of the international break in March for him. That is a blow for us. It is a key stage in the season, he is devastated, but it is what it is.”
In an Instagram post after the Spurs game, Guimarães described himself as “very saddened” by his injury, but insisted his absence would “help strengthen me and ensure I’m even more prepared for what lies ahead”.
Who else is out for Newcastle against Barça?
In today’s last-16 first leg, which marks Newcastle’s first ever foray into the Champions League’s knockout phase proper, the Magpies will also be missing injured trio Fabian Schär (ankle), Lewis Miley (knee) and Emil Krafth (knee).
Will Livramento play against Barça?
Tino Livramento is available for Newcastle once more, having returned from a hamstring injury as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. However, Howe says the fullback is unlikely to be ready for inclusion in the lineup against Barça.
“He probably hasn’t done enough training for me to feel 100% confident that he’s in that best physical moment, especially when it’s such a big game, to start,” Howe told reporters yesterday. “But he’s in our squad, and anyone who’s in that position is in contention to play. It’s a delicate balance with Tino at the moment.”
Newcastle United vs Barcelona: kickoff times, how to watch
Newcastle host Barcelona at St. James’ Park today, Tuesday Mar. 10, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time. In the U.S., that translates into a 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT start.
Viewers in the States can watch the last-16 clash on Paramount+, TUDN USA and ViX, and you’ll also have the option of following live-text commentary right here on the AS USA website.
Newcastle vs Barcelona: H2H
With a quarterfinal against Atlético Madrid or Tottenham awaiting the winner of the two-legged tie, Newcastle and Barça are today squaring off for the second time in 2025-26. In September, Marcus Rashford hit a double for the Catalans on Tyneside, as Hansi Flick’s men prevailed 2-1 on matchday one of the league phase.
In the teams’ third meeting of the season, Barça are to welcome Newcastle to Camp Nou for the last-16 second leg next week, on Wednesday, Mar. 18.
Barça’s victory in the clubs’ most recent matchup was the LaLiga giants’ fourth in five Champions League meetings with Newcastle. The Premier League team’s only win over the Blaugrana came in the clubs’ maiden European clash: a 3-2 group-stage triumph at St. James’ Park in September 1997, powered by a memorable Faustino Asprilla hat-trick.
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