Eddie Howe has challenged his players to create their own historic moment by beating Barcelona in the Champions League, just as the 1997 team did.
EDDIE Howe has urged his Newcastle United players to become legends by emulating the club’s famous 1997 Champions League victory over Barcelona when they host the Spanish giants in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday.
The Magpies welcome the La Liga leaders in what Howe described as a potentially life-changing moment for his side. He wants his current squad to be spoken about with the same reverence as Faustino Asprilla, whose hat-trick inspired a 3-2 group-stage win 29 years ago.
“Yes I watched the game,” Howe said, recalling the iconic match he saw as a teenager. “It was one of those legendary games. Of course we want people in future years to be talking about this team.”
Newcastle have reached the Champions League knockout stages for only the second time in their history. This marks a remarkable transformation under Howe, who took over a club in disarray in 2021 before guiding them to a first trophy in 56 years last season.
“There are only 16 teams left and we are one of them,” Howe stated. “It is very much an opportunity to grab a moment that we may never get again.”
Howe believes adopting an underdog mentality could be key to stunning the five-time European champions. He labelled the tie the biggest match in Newcastle’s modern history.
“That’s very much the mentality we need, rising to the occasion, embracing the size of the game,” he explained. “The underdog role to a degree in my time here has helped us.”
Newcastle have already faced Barcelona this season, losing 2-1 at home in the group stage. Howe insists his team can learn from that experience.
“We can take a lot from the performance,” he said. “Hopefully we can learn lessons from that tie. All our Champions League games have been a great rehearsal for this moment.”
