Howe Demands Competitive Champions League Campaign from Newcastle
Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle United, believes his team has the potential to be competitive in this season’s UEFA Champions League. However, he emphasizes the necessity of securing early victories. Following a challenging start, Newcastle faced a 1-2 defeat against Barcelona, where Marcus Rashford scored both goals for the Spanish side.
Upcoming Challenges for Newcastle
In their next match, Newcastle will meet Union Saint-Gilloise (USG), who recently made headlines with a 3-1 win against PSV in their Champions League opener. Notably, no Belgian team has lost its first home match in the European Cup or Champions League in the last six instances, achieving three wins and three draws.
Howe’s Confidence and Expectations
Despite the initial setback, Howe remains confident in his squad’s ability to compete against Europe’s top clubs. He insists that accumulating points quickly is crucial. “In our opening game against Barcelona, we genuinely believed we performed well, but the result was disappointing,” Howe remarked. “I firmly believe we can be competitive.”
Importance of Winning
Howe stressed the importance of securing victories, adding, “Winning is paramount. While a team can play attractively, the goal is always to win.” He believes flexibility in performance is essential to navigate different match situations successfully. “Last season, we managed to find ways to win, which is crucial in the Champions League,” he noted.
Recent Premier League Performance
Newcastle enters this upcoming Champions League clash following a narrow 1-2 defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League. The team had led the match until just seven minutes before the end. Nick Pope, the goalkeeper, received criticism for his role in the decisive goal. Nonetheless, Howe has expressed his full support for Pope, expecting a strong comeback.
- Howe referred to Pope’s performance prior to the late goal as potentially one of the best he has witnessed.
- Howe emphasized that decision-making in high-pressure moments is key.
- He reinforced his trust in Pope despite the recent controversy surrounding his performance.
As Newcastle prepares for their next Champions League match, the focus will be on bouncing back from recent disappointments and establishing themselves as serious contenders in Europe.
