Barcelona VP underlines team’s Champions League aspirations – ‘It is always the objective…’

The road to Budapest begins tonight for FC Barcelona as they take on Newcastle United in their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League opener at St. James’ Park.

The La Liga champions are one of the favourites to lift the European trophy this season after having stumbled at the semi-final stage last time around.

As such, Hansi Flick & co. will be intent on starting off the tournament with a strong performance and a victory against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle later tonight.

Rafa Yuste on Barcelona’s Champions League objective

Speaking to Que T’hi Jugues in the lead-up to the game, FC Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste underlined the team’s ambition to go all the way in the Champions League.

“The Champions League is always the objective that a club like Barça should have, but we must not obsess. We have a lot of enthusiasm, and enthusiasm leads to triumphs,” Yuste remarked.

However, it was not lost on the Barça vice president that facing Newcastle United, in their own backyard, will not be an easy challenge.

“The Premier League is a league with brutal pitches. Tonight there will be a brutal atmosphere, but the team is used to it,” he noted.

“It will be a difficult match, but we are very excited and eager to do well.”

This will be Barcelona’s third visit to Newcastle for an official match. The Blaugrana lost 3-2 on their first trip during the 1997/98 season, while they managed to secure a 2-0 victory in 2002/03.

Flick’s men go into the game with momentum on their side after thrashing Valencia 6-0 in La Liga this past weekend, and will be hoping to put in another statement performance tonight.