Barcelona will be without teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal for their Champions League clash against Newcastle United at St. James&rsquo; Park on Thursday.&nbsp;
The 18-year-old winger, widely regarded as Lionel Messi&rsquo;s successor, suffered an injury during international duty last week and will miss the trip &mdash; a significant setback to Barca&rsquo;s European ambitions.&nbsp;
His absence is a welcome advantage for Newcastle, competing in their second season under Saudi ownership after finishing bottom of their group last year.
In another marquee fixture, Kevin De Bruyne is set for an emotional return to Manchester City, just four months after leaving the Etihad. 
Now playing for Napoli, the Belgian midfielder will face his former club in a highly anticipated contest.&nbsp;
City, who were slow starters in Europe last season, appear much sharper this year thanks to Erling Haaland&rsquo;s blistering form &mdash; the Norwegian has netted 11 goals in six matches and boasts 49 in 48 Champions League outings.
Elsewhere, Kazakhstan debutants Kairat Almaty take on Sporting Lisbon after a gruelling 6,500-kilometre journey. 
Eintracht Frankfurt host Galatasaray, unbeaten in the Turkish league, while Bayer Leverkusen &mdash; now managed by Kasper Hjulmand &mdash; meet FC Copenhagen. 
Club Brugge, meanwhile, welcome Monaco.

De Bruyne returns, Yamal injured, Haaland shines

Injured Yamal out vs Newcastle; De Bruyne returns with Napoli to face former club City

Barcelona Lose Yamal, De Bruyne Returns Home

Injured Yamal out vs Newcastle; De Bruyne returns with Napoli to face former club City

September 18, 2025 | 22:25 IST