Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle United, is optimistic that the team will capitalise on the new Champions League format this season.
Newcastle United will be participating in the Champions League for the fourth time this season as they prepare to host Barcelona at St James’ Park.
Although the Magpies have participated in four-team groupings during the previous three Champions League campaigns, this season will mark the club’s inaugural participation in the new 36-team group phase format.
In an effort to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage for the first time, Newcastle will encounter Barcelona as the first of eight teams they will encounter in the group phase format.
Newcastle will also face Athletic Club, Benfica, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and Paris Saint-Germain.
The best eight clubs advance directly to the last-16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th participate in a seeded knockout round play-off tie. All 36 teams are ranked in order of performance. Clubs that are ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated from Europe.
Newcastle was placed in a challenging group with PSG, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan during their previous appearance in the Champions League. Newcastle began the season with a 0-0 draw in Milan and a 4-1 victory over PSG. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum and ultimately finished at the bottom of the division, earning only two points from their final four games.
The upcoming season is anticipated to be advantageous for Newcastle due to the expanded format, increased number of fixtures, and a wider variety of opponents.
Eddie Howe addresses the modification of the Champions League format.
Howe expressed his approval of the format change, stating, “I am pleased with the format.” Additional contests are advantageous for us. It assists us in the process of learning and adapting.
“We will determine whether it is simpler to qualify.” The squad’s quality is demonstrated, and there are financial, competitive, and other advantages. However, the competitors must ultimately achieve success at this level.
“Our initial objective is to qualify for the knockout stages, and there are advantages that are universally applicable.” Financially, of course, but also in terms of demonstrating to the team that we are capable.
In response to these enquiries, I consistently assert that the participants must demonstrate that they are proficient enough to perform at this level and that they are excelling at it. Simply playing is insufficient. We require our athletes to demonstrate exceptional performance.
Newcastle’s success in the Carabao Cup last season was the result of the lessons they had learnt from their previous campaigns. However, the Champions League is an entirely distinct entity.
“I think that experience [during the 2023/24 Champions League] in part, just the size and the magnitude of those games, and everything that goes into a Champions League is different,” Howe said. “It is distinct from the Premier League; it has a distinct feel. Therefore, I believe that our previous experience can be beneficial once more, as the squad is arguably more robust.”
“You are always free to engage in a discussion on either side.” Certainly, the squad has evolved; it is a distinct squad, and I am inclined to support the calibre of our current roster.
“It’s certainly a tough game, it’s a tough-looking fixture for us, and I think the early game was really important because they set the foundations, they set the tone, and that’s why we’re really focusing on our performance and trying to deliver.”
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