Eddie Howe has been talking ahead of Newcastle United taking on Barcelona.
The match schedule continuing to be relentless.
A return to Champions League action as United look to make it through to the last eight of the competition.
Newcastle United hoping to better that 2002/03 season under Sir Bobby Robson, when NUFC also reached the last 16 of the Champions League.
The second leg sees Barcelona host on Wednesday 18 March, but first, 8pm on Tuesday (10 March) we will see kick-off at St James’ Park in the first leg.
Eddie Howe speaking at his Newcastle United pre-match press conference ahead of facing Barcelona:
“In recent history, for me it is the biggest game [for Newcastle United].
“That’s very much the mentality.
“Rising to the occasion and embracing the size of the game are things that have helped us this season and we’re looking for the same again.”
Eddie Howe on preparing for Tuesday night at St James’ Park:
“We’re going to need a big, big physical effort tomorrow.
“Another short turnaround after a big game against Manchester City where we had a lot of running to do.
“No excuses, the players will be ready.”
Eddie Howe on Barcelona:
“They showed very recently against Atletico Madrid that the tie is not going to be dead regardless of the outcome in this game.
“For us we just have to focus on trying to win and not overthinking it.
“Their recent record in the league has been very consistent, their style is consistent so we know what we’re going to face.”
Eddie Howe on the Newcastle 1 Barcelona 2 match in September:
“We played well, they played well and especially for the first half of the game we were right in it and it swung on big chances on goal. We didn’t take ours and they took theirs.
“Their midfield three did really well to control the game and were the standout players to swing the game in their direction.
“We had our moments we ultimately didn’t take. That is the key.”
Eddie Howe asked about Lamine Yamal:
“He is an outstanding player who we didn’t face in the first game.
“It’s a great challenge for us to deal with his qualities.
“They have huge threats in the wide areas and we need to defend better than we did at the weekend in wide areas.”
Eddie Howe on Tino Livramento:
“He probably hasn’t done enough training for me to feel 100% confident he can be in the best physical moment to start, especially in such a big game, but he’s in our squad. Anyone who is in that position is in contention to play so it’s a balance with Tino at the moment.
“He’s a massive player for us and it’s great to have him back but I have to try and get the team selection right.”
Eddie Howe on being in the round of 16 of the Champions League:
“There’s only 16 teams left and we’re one of them.
“It’s very much an opportunity to grab a moment that we may never get again, you don’t know what life brings. We don’t want to waste the opportunity and have what ifs.
“In my time here, just over four years, we’ve worked to get to this point.
“We want to get as close as we can to our very best.”