Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press this week as his team gets ready for an important Champions League clash against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday night in Brussels.
For Newcastle, this is not just another game. It’s their chance to bounce back after two painful defeats – one against Barcelona in Europe and the other against Arsenal in the Premier League. Howe believes that the pain of those losses can actually give his squad more energy, focus, and motivation going forward.
Let’s dive deeper into what Howe said, the challenges Newcastle are facing, and why this match matters so much.
Using Arsenal’s Defeat as Fuel
Last weekend, Newcastle faced Arsenal in a tough Premier League game. It looked like they might earn a valuable point, but in the final minutes, Arsenal defender Gabriel scored, sealing a 2-1 win for The Gunners. For Newcastle, it was a devastating moment – the kind of late goal that can hurt a team’s confidence.
But Eddie Howe has a different perspective. He told reporters:
“The Arsenal defeat should be a motivator, not a hangover. We needed to do better in those last few moments. It would have been a big point. We need to use that as a motivation.”
This kind of mindset is common among top coaches. Instead of allowing players to feel sorry for themselves, they encourage them to learn from mistakes. In soccer, where games can change in a single second, mental toughness often makes the difference between winning and losing.
Soccer fact: In the 2022/23 Premier League season, Arsenal scored 17 goals in the final 15 minutes of games – showing why no team can relax against them.
Injury Concerns: Livramento’s Situation
Another tough moment from the Arsenal game was the injury to Newcastle’s young full-back Tino Livramento. He was stretchered off the pitch, which left fans worried about his condition.
When asked about it, Howe said:
“I’m better off waiting before giving any indication on that because that could be a mistake. Let’s wait and see in the next couple of days.”
Injuries can often shape a team’s season, especially when games come quickly in both the league and the Champions League. Newcastle already have a busy schedule, so losing a player like Livramento could be a big blow.
Soccer news combo: Injuries have been a common problem for English clubs in Europe this season. For example, Manchester City recently had to play without Kevin De Bruyne, and Liverpool have also struggled when key defenders like Van Dijk were unavailable. It shows how important squad depth is at the top level.
Why Train in Belgium?
One detail that caught the attention of fans was that Newcastle trained in Belgium before their Champions League game. Instead of just flying in the day before, they arrived early.
Howe explained:
“We felt that getting to know our surroundings was important. We’ve got here early, we feel settled, journey time was minimal.”
This may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference. Playing in Europe often means adjusting to different stadiums, crowds, and even weather conditions. By spending extra time in Belgium, the players can focus and feel more comfortable.
Soccer fact: Many famous managers, like Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, also prefer to bring their teams to Champions League cities early. It reduces travel stress and helps the squad adapt.
Woltemade’s Price Tag: “Irrelevant”
One big talking point around Newcastle this season has been their summer signing Nick Woltemade, who joined from Werder Bremen for a reported £65 million fee. Some critics, including Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said Newcastle were “idiots” for spending that much on him.
But Howe doesn’t care about the outside noise.
“His price tag is irrelevant,” the manager stated firmly.
This shows that Howe wants his player to focus on performance, not the money. In modern soccer, transfer fees often dominate headlines, but what matters most is how a player fits into the system.
Soccer fact: The current world-record transfer fee is still Neymar’s €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Since then, huge deals like Kylian Mbappé, Jack Grealish, and Enzo Fernández have made transfer prices a hot topic in football news.
Howe’s Champions League Ambitions
Finally, Howe was asked about his ambitions in the Champions League. He made it clear that Newcastle are enjoying the ride:
“We are a Champions League club this season, whether that goes into next year, time will tell. We are trying to make the most of it.”
This is an honest statement. The Premier League is incredibly competitive, and qualifying for the Champions League again will not be easy. Clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham are all fighting for those top spots.
But right now, Newcastle fans are enjoying the chance to see their club on Europe’s biggest stage. It’s been a long journey since they were battling relegation just a few years ago.
Soccer fact: Newcastle last appeared in the Champions League in the 2002/03 season before returning in 2023/24. That’s a gap of over 20 years!
Why This Match Matters
Newcastle lost their opening group game against Barcelona (2-1). That means Wednesday’s game against Union Saint-Gilloise is crucial. In the Champions League group stage, only the top two teams advance, so every point is important.
Union Saint-Gilloise might not have the same global reputation as Barcelona or Bayern Munich, but they are a dangerous side. They finished near the top of the Belgian Pro League last season and are known for their hardworking style.
If Newcastle can win, they’ll not only earn their first three points of the campaign but also build confidence for upcoming matches.
Soccer combo: Many big teams have struggled in the group stages in the past. For example, Inter Milan, who reached the 2023 Champions League final, were once knocked out early after dropping points against “smaller” teams. Newcastle must avoid the same mistake.
Final Thoughts
Eddie Howe’s message is clear: learn from defeats, stay mentally strong, and focus on the next challenge. The Arsenal loss was painful, but it can also fuel Newcastle’s push in Europe. Injuries, transfer debates, and tough opponents are part of soccer – but Newcastle’s journey shows how quickly fortunes can change.
A few years ago, they were fighting relegation. Now, they’re training in Belgium, preparing for a Champions League night under the lights.
Whether they advance far or not, Howe and his squad are determined to enjoy the ride and show the world that Newcastle belong on the big stage.
