The Spanish club Barcelona is preparing to face the English side Newcastle United today, Thursday, at St. James' Park in the first round of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026, marking its thirty-sixth participation in the prestigious European club tournament, according to the Spanish newspaper "Sport".

The Catalan team aims to achieve better results this season after their journey ended in the semifinals last season against Inter Milan, as they seek to reach the final match scheduled at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30, according to the Spanish newspaper.

Barcelona's history in Champions League openers shows a clear disparity between home and away matches, as the team has achieved 25 wins, 7 draws, and 3 losses in their first matches at home, while recording 5 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses away from home. They have not won any of their last four away openers, with the last being a 2-1 loss to Monaco last season.

This edition will be the second time Barcelona opens the tournament at a stadium belonging to the English Premier League, after their first appearance in the 1998/1999 season at Old Trafford against Manchester United, which ended in a 3-3 draw.