"It is only two years since Eddie Howe attended his first Champions League match but now Newcastle's manager is on a mission to disrupt Europe's elite. As Barcelona arrived on Tyneside on Wednesday Hansi Flick's La Liga champions certainly displayed no sign of complacency. Indeed Flick warned of the intensity his players must be braced for at St James' Park on Thursday night."
"He remembers Paris Saint-Germain being utterly overwhelmed here two years ago when they surrendered 4-1 to formidable yet still slightly naive opponents whose inexperience would ultimately spell group stage elimination. Back then Newcastle, at times, looked a little bit like wide-eyed Champions League tourists; now they want to be seen as contenders. There were a lot of unknowns last time, said Howe. There there was a feeling we were experiencing something new, we enjoyed it but ultimately we failed."
Eddie Howe attended his first Champions League match two years ago and now leads Newcastle with a clear mission to disrupt Europe's elite. Barcelona's visit prompted warnings from Hansi Flick about the intensity awaiting opponents at St James' Park. Two years earlier Paris Saint-Germain were overwhelmed 4-1 by a Newcastle side that appeared naive and subsequently exited the group stage. That draw with Milan demonstrated competence amid inexperience. Howe emphasizes learning, added tactical layers, greater squad strength and familiarity with Champions League preparations. High-profile opponents include Raphinha, Marcus Rashford and Frenkie de Jong, and nostalgic memories of Barcelona's 1997 visit persist.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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