'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Sandro Tonali injury update after Newcastle defeat to Barcelona in Champions League
Mar 18 2026 21:11 · By Chris Davie · 10 Reads
Sandro Tonali is an injury doubt for Newcastle United’s derby against Sunderland this weekend (DeFodi via Getty)
Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sandro Tonali has suffered a groin injury during Newcastle United’s 7-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Newcastle equalised twice through Anthony Elanga at Camp Nou in a thrilling first half but Barcelona went into the break 3-2 in front via Lamine Yamal’s penalty.
Howe’s side then collapsed in the second half as Barcelona went on to score four more without reply to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-final where they will play Atletico Madrid or Tottenham .
Tonali, meanwhile, was forced off in the second half against Barcelona and is now a doubt to be fit for Newcastle’s Premier League derby at home to Sunderland this Sunderland.
When asked about Tonali’s injury after the game, Howe said: ‘I’d say he’s a doubt.
‘It looks like he’s got a groin, or a hip problem. I thought he performed really well in the first half and we really missed him in that second period.’
Barcelona sealed a 7-2 win against Newcastle United at Camp Nou (Getty)
Analysing his side’s defeat to Barcelona, Howe said: ‘The defending today was not at the level that it was just a few days ago at Chelsea.
‘Starting with the first goal where two players slipped, then we concede a set play, then probably the big one was the penalty. So as well as we played in the first half and I thought we were outstanding in many aspects, it was really a great representation of how we want to play.
‘If we performed anywhere near or defended anywhere near the level we can, I think we would have been leading at half time.
‘The second half we said we didn’t have the same energy and when the game was effectively over, we didn’t react well to that moment either.
‘So it became a very, very difficult second half. And even changing to play lower and deeper in a compact space didn’t really help us in our efforts.’