While soccer has long established that anything is possible on the pitch, FC Barcelona enters Tuesday's first leg riding the form of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and the midfield mastery of Pedri González — two figures who give the Catalan side every reason to feel confident against their English opponents.

Currently leading LaLiga by four points over Real Madrid, Barcelona's focus has been briefly disrupted by an explosive interview from club legend and former head coach Xavi Hernández, who revisited the unresolved saga of Lionel Messi's failed return to the club. Xavi reopened an old wound: Messi departed on poor terms with club president Joan Laporta in 2021, and a subsequent attempt to bring the Argentine back collapsed entirely. According to Xavi, it was Laporta himself who sabotaged the potential return of the celebrated forward in 2023.

The matter carries particular sensitivity given that elections for a new club board are now underway. Laporta remains the frontrunner to retain the presidency, supported by both the current squad and head coach Hansi Flick.

On the field, Barcelona's attacking depth — featuring Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermín López, among others — presents a formidable challenge for a Newcastle side that lacks headline names but compensates with experience and craft. Wltemade, Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon, and Robert Elanga represent genuine threats in attack and should not be underestimated.

At the Civitas Metropolitano, Atlético de Madrid approaches the tie with growing optimism following their qualification for the Copa del Rey final — a result that has injected renewed momentum into the squad. With Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Alexander Sørloth, and Nico available, and the added boost of injured midfielder Barrios' recovery, Diego Simeone's side presents a solid and balanced lineup against a Tottenham squad that brings more European pedigree than Newcastle, though also without being at peak form.

Tottenham nonetheless commands respect. The quality of figures such as Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison, and João Palhinha ensures that Atlético cannot afford any complacency.

Wednesday brings the most high-profile tie of the Spanish contingent's run, as Real Madrid hosts Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu. The primary question surrounding the Merengues centers on whether French forward Kylian Mbappé, recovering from a right knee injury, will be fit to feature in the starting lineup — a factor that could prove decisive in what promises to be one of the round's marquee encounters.