Eddie Howe is anticipating an unbelievable ambiance at St James’ Park when Newcastle United host Barcelona of their Champions League opener.
A gathering with the LaLiga champions represents a frightening begin to Newcastle’s second Champions League marketing campaign in three seasons, however additionally it is a fixture with nice sentiment for the membership.
The Magpies famously beat Barcelona 3-2 within the Champions League 28 years in the past on Wednesday, with Faustino Asprilla scoring a hat-trick.
Moreover, there may be an indelible hyperlink between the 2 golf equipment by way of the profession of the late Sir Bobby Robson, who led Barcelona to Copa del Rey and European Cup Winners’ Cup glory in 1997 and later confronted them as supervisor of boyhood membership Newcastle within the 2002-03 Champions League.
Robson’s time at Barca was transient, however he was a key affect for Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho and in addition managed Luis Enrique in his season in cost at Camp Nou.
That historical past is certain to fire up loads of emotion on Tyneside when the 2 golf equipment renew acquaintances, and Howe is keen to embrace the event.
“It’s a historic fixture. As quickly as we realised we have been drawn towards Barcelona it had a magical really feel to it,” Howe informed his pre-match press convention.
“It’ll be an incredible recreation to expertise. I’m centered on tactical preparation and ensuring we ship a superb efficiency. I’m actually excited to pattern the ambiance. I do know it will likely be unbelievable.”
Howe searching for consistency
Whereas Howe is worked up on the prospect of not less than 4 Champions League house video games at St James’ Park, he was eager to emphasize his main focus is outcomes, with Newcastle aiming to progress from the league section having gone out within the group stage in 2023-24, the ultimate season earlier than the format was modified.
“That’s the problem we wish to tackle,” Howe mentioned of progressing from the league section.
“Sure, we would like magical nights, we would like these moments that everybody remembers. One off video games are nice however you additionally need constant outcomes. I’m certain throughout this Champions League season we’ll have video games the place we don’t carry out as properly however now we have to discover a method even in these moments to generate constructive outcomes.”
Newcastle completed backside of a bunch that includes Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan of their final Champions League marketing campaign, that gauntlet in the end proving an excessive amount of for an injury-hit squad as they have been eradicated with a house defeat to Milan on the ultimate matchday.
However Newcastle did thrash PSG 4-1 at house whereas incomes attracts on the Parc des Princes and on the San Siro towards Milan.
And Howe believes his group of gamers will likely be higher this time round for the testing expertise of that season.
“There are issues we will take from that recreation however there are issues we will take from the entire expertise,” Howe mentioned of the memorable win over PSG.
“In the end we didn’t progress past the group stage which was a disappointment however we will use these experiences to assist us. For this recreation, which is all we will give attention to, it’s about attempting to get a constructive outcome.
“The expertise, the dimensions and the magnitude of the video games – every thing that goes into the Champions League is completely different to the Premier League.
“The build-up is completely different, the texture is completely different. Having finished that earlier than actually helps us and the squad is arguably stronger. I again the standard that now we have. They’re robust fixtures for us. The early video games are actually vital as a result of they set the foundations.”
Gordon in Howe’s ideas
Whereas new signing Yoane Wissa is out till after the following worldwide break due to a knee harm, document signing Nick Woltemade will likely be aiming to construct on his successful objective towards Wolves final weekend, whereas Newcastle may even have the ability to name on ahead Anthony Gordon.
Gordon has served two video games of a three-match home suspension following a pink card towards Liverpool final month, however he’s free to face Barca, together with his availability a great addition as Newcastle go to Bournemouth within the Premier League three days later.
“He’s good. He’s in my ideas for tomorrow,” Howe mentioned of Gordon.
“He’s an excellent participant and you may’t have sufficient of these. We’ll look to utilise him. Whether or not we predict that’s from the beginning of the sport let’s wait and see.
“He brings a tempo and directness to our ahead line which you at all times want. It’s an vital season for him in his profession and we’re wanting ahead to serving to him attain the very highest ranges.”
One participant who is definite to be concerned is captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has sights set on going a lot additional than in 2023-24.
Newcastle are the clear underdogs towards Barca, however Guimaraes mentioned: “We don’t wish to put limits on our desires. We wish to take it recreation by recreation and see what we get.
“We’re very excited and we hope we will go so far as potential.”