Howe praises Newcastle ‘heart’ – but it only takes them so far

St. James’ Park was moving.

Even though Newcastle United had just lost their Champions League opener with a score of 2-1 against Barcelona, it didn’t always seem like it.

“We adore Newcastle, of course” Before applauding their side off the field, the hoarse home support roared at full-time.

Newcastle’s performance against Barcelona was undoubtedly faultless right up until the last breath.

Barcelona had a lead before Marcus Rashford’s double in the 90th minute gave Newcastle a lead. However, Newcastle rallied and scored again with a double.

However, what might have been left for Eddie Howe’s team to consider.

The players have a lot of heart, according to the head coach of Newcastle. “To beat Barcelona, it needs to be a great performance,” I said, “but I didn’t think it was great.”

It was intended to be one of those “magical nights,” as Howe put it.

The AC/DC-themed banner screamed in the East Stand before the game, back in black and white. In between two amps, a huge tifo of Monty the Magpie, the club’s mascot, stood before it.

Newcastle, the five-time champions of Europe, were back in the Champions League, and they weren’t going to sit quietly there.

In addition to Sir Bobby Robson’s son Mark, who “wished Dad was alive to be there and see two of the clubs he managed meet, he and Tino Asprilla, who scored a hat-trick in Newcastle’s 3-2 victory against Barcelona in 1997, were also present.

Their attendance and reference to a previous time served as a reminder of what is still possible on these nights when the atmosphere and stadium shakes are typically at their most febrile.

After losing Paris St-Germain at St James’ a few years ago, the current crop, of course, needed no more reminder of that.

That night also featured Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, and Nick Pope. Therefore, it makes sense that Burn appealed to those in his care to “make this PSG 2.0.”

However, this time around, things would turn out differently.

Before coming off with cramp on his debut, Woltemade had scored the crucial goal against Wolves that weekend that proved to be decisive.

So Gordon was given the nod to lead the line with striker Yoane Wissa sidelined with a knee injury.

And Howe made no effort to discuss whether or not to start the towering Woltemade on Thursday night.

He said, “I can’t live in that world.” Sometimes I have to make decisions for the players’ benefit.

Nick said, “It was a really challenging experience.” Any player would like to start the game, but I have to work with him to make sure he remains healthy. That was the main argument in this choice.

In consequence, Howe recalled Gordon, who is currently serving a three-game domestic ban.

In an effort to occupy the space behind Barcelona’s high line, the quick Anthony Elanga also joined the side in place of Jacob Murphy, who is currently suffering from an Achilles issue.

In the beginning, Elanga and Gordon were close to working together.

Before Harvey Barnes saw a curling effort comfortably saved by goalkeeper Joan Garcia just a few minutes later, Gordon was unable to connect with Elanga’s pullback.

After Elanga’s lively pass to the back post, Barnes had a huge chance to cut the lead into the middle of the second half, but Garcia could only aim his way.

It brought back memories of Newcastle’s first game of the season against Aston Villa and Leeds United.

It’s no wonder Howe once placed his hands on the touchline.

Newcastle had to be ruthless in front of goal in a situation like this, just like they did with PSG a few years ago, when they won 4-1.

They must be clinical in order to succeed in this competition.

starting with the Union Saint-Gilloise meeting in Brussels the following month.