Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle: What’s next for Eddie Howe’s team?

However, it was interesting that those at the far end applauded their team throughout and repeatedly pledged to “support you more than ever.”

Traveling fans certainly haven’t forgotten that Newcastle have reached the last 16 of the competition for only the second time in the club’s history.

Or that the visitors have lost just three of their twelve Champions League matches this season.

Or that they put in brave performances in the 1-1 draw against Barcelona and defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.

“This is where we want to be,” Howe said. “As much as today’s result was tough on us and a painful experience, seeing the players play the way they did in the first half and execute 90% of what we wanted, was a great feeling and a great sight.

“I don’t think everything should be forgotten with the result, as difficult as that is for everyone to see.”

However, this exciting trip to the Nou Camp was another timely reminder of the gap Newcastle need to fill.

It is difficult for them to regularly qualify for the Champions League year after year.

It will be difficult to compete for such heavyweight titles as CEO David Hopkinson plans to do by 2030.

Howe then spoke about “learning from today, evolving and changing if we want to.”

These words were not just a reference to the upcoming matches.

You’d expect this team to look a bit different when Newcastle next play in Europe, and that’s before departures are taken into account.

It was fairly clear that Howe was asking questions about Sandro Tonali’s future on the eve of one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history following another set of comments from the midfielder’s agent, Giuseppe Risso, at the weekend.

Qualifying for the Champions League didn’t exactly help the club when it came to keeping hold of Alexander Isak.

But failure to finish in the top five will leave Newcastle particularly vulnerable in a period they have to put right after last summer’s turmoil.