Eddie Howe has his say on Newcastle’s Champions League draw

Eddie Howe has no reservations about the new Champions League campaign after a hectic summer. He looks forward to focusing on the football alone and believes his players are "more ready" for the challenge than when they first set their sights on playing in continental competition two years ago.

‘We've been through it before’

Howe highlighted his joy at leading Newcastle into Europe again. It is the second time he has reached the Champions League in three years, but it is only the fourth time the team have been on this stage.

“You look at the ties and you start to visualize the games and how tough they'll be but how exciting they are and an opportunity for us to enjoy more games in the Champions League. The group we had last time is very difficult. The games this time tough and challenging but great to look forward to.”

In 2023, the Toon benefitted from away days in Milan, Dortmund, and Paris with minimal travel. This season, they return to Paris Saint-Germain, have a second French trip to Marseille, a return trip to Germany against Bayer Leverkusen, and also visit Belgium to play against Union Saint-Gilloise.

“We're pleased with that. The away games are always exciting both for players and supporters. The unknown can be really exciting. We played Paris before, so that's that was a great experience for us.”

If the first trip to Paris was full of sorrow, the Magpies are dreaming of a joyous return this time. But the pick of the fixtures is the visit of Barcelona, 28 seasons after their Champions League debut.

Tino Asprilla got a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory, and Newcastle hope to beat the Blaugrana again.

“An amazing fixture for us. I think that's the one that you instantly get drawn to because of the links with Sir Bobby Robson and the history be between the two clubs as you say those games were rightly remembered. So I think the exciting part for me is can we create more legacy to that fixture.”

Even if Alexander Isak is absent, the manager feels his group are better prepared for this challenge.

“When you're looking at the fixtures and whenever the fixtures are sorted and we get the order of the games, we're just trying to attack each one in the best way that we can. I believe we're more ready.”

Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey are summer signings who bring experience of Champions League football. The squad is still mostly intact after the first experience from two seasons ago, and they will go into each contest fully conscious of the quality and intensity they need to succeed.

“We've been through it before. I think all those things help you in your preparation mentally for the games. We're under no illusions of the size of the task. I really believe in the players that we have.”

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