Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has challenged his players to demonstrate their quality and deliver a strong performance against Union Saint-Gilloise in their upcoming Champions League match in Brussels. The Magpies are aiming to bounce back from a slow start to the season and a recent defeat against Arsenal.
Howe emphasized the importance of the Union SG game within their Champions League campaign, acknowledging it as a tough challenge. He stressed that the Arsenal defeat should serve as motivation for improvement rather than a setback.
Newcastle's European journey began with a 2-1 loss at home to Barcelona. The team is eager to secure their first points in the Champions League against the Belgian champions.
Howe's side has arrived in Brussels determined to get their campaign back on track. Besides the Champions League clash, Newcastle also has a Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at St James' Park on Sunday.
Regarding team news, Fabian Schär has recovered from a concussion and is back in the squad. However, Tino Livramento is sidelined with a knee injury. The club is awaiting feedback on the extent of Livramento's injury. Howe preferred not to speculate on the injury's severity until further assessment. Lewis Hall is also available for selection. Howe said that the team will make a decision on the team selection after training, to ensure everyone is fresh.
Howe commented on Union SG, highlighting their strong start to the season and their impressive result against PSV Eindhoven. He noted their tactical approach and physical threat, particularly from their two main strikers. He said he has been really impressed when watching them. Union SG, who won the Belgian League 11 times before 1935, have made it to the Champions League main draw for the first time after a long wait.
To prepare for the match, Newcastle has been training in Belgium to acclimatize to their surroundings. Howe explained the importance of settling in early and minimizing travel time.
When asked about Bayern Munich's Nick Woltemade, Howe dismissed criticism regarding his price tag, deeming it "irrelevant". He praised Woltemade's aerial ability and goal-scoring potential.
