A bitter voice expressed Sandro Tonali says what Newcastle United fans have been waiting to hear on live TV after Barcelona match

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Sandro Tonali at risk of Champions League ban after Newcastle United v Barcelona incident

Sandro Tonali and three other Newcastle United players are walking a disciplinary tightrope in the Premier League.

Newcastle United suffered late heartbreak in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at home to Barcelona.

After banging on the door for 86 minutes, the Magpies got their just rewards when Harvey Barnes got on the end of Jacob Murphy’s cross to break the deadlock.

Four minutes of stoppage time were added and the clock had just ticked past that allotted time when Italian referee Marco Guida awarded a Barca penalty after Malick Thiaw tripped Dani

As I said, the challenge for us is we need more of it on a consistent basis. That’s easier said than don, ut I think we’ve shown that we can play against the very best when we’re at our best.

“I think we have to believe we’re very much in the tie. The performance was very good. As I say, I thought we played well against them the first time and thought the defeat [back in September] was harsh on us. I think the draw was harsh on us again, but it shows their quality.

“If you switch off for a second, they will punish you, and although I didn’t think they really looked like scoring today, there’s warning signs. They’ve got quality. They’ve got players that can hurt you in an instant.

And that’s why I think our defensive performance was so strong. So I’m really pleased with the players individually. I thought there was also some really strong performers today, which is great to see.”

Sandro Tonali among four Newcastle United players walking disciplinary tightrope

Heading into the second leg in Spain, Newcastle have four players walking a disciplinary tightrope, with Dan Burn, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock at risk of missing the first leg of the quarter-finals if they get past Barca.

As per UEFA rules, three bookings before the semi-final stage automatically results in a one-match suspension. Burn and Joelinton have been on two yellow cards since the league phase, and have now been joined by Tonali and Willock after their bookings versus Barcelona.

Tonali was furious at being shown a yellow card in the 34th minute for a slight pull on Raphinha after referee Marco Guida, a fellow Italian, allowed cynical fouls from Fermin Lopez and Yamal to go unpunished.

Had Lopez or Yamal received a booking, they would have been ruled out of the second leg next week. Like Newcastle’s aforementioned quartet, Lopez is on two yellows, while Yamal has four cautions.

Yamal has already served a one-match ban for accumulating three yellow, as has Newcastle defender Thiaw. Reaching five also results in an automatic one-match suspension.