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eddie howe He is confident Newcastle can beat anyone at their best as they pursue an extended booking Champions League adventure.
The Magpies took 10 points from this season’s competition and moved up to 12th in the table after the 2–2 draw. bayer leverkusen On Wednesday evening, a game in which they were leading 2–1 with only two minutes of normal time remaining.
Despite the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser, head coach Howe is confident they can progress to the knockout stage despite facing tough tests against PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park and away to Paris Saint-Germain in their final two league stage games.
Speaking at the post-match press conference at the BayArena, he said: “We have to believe. When we started the Champions League campaign, if we thought it would be easy, I think we are in the wrong competition.
“You’re playing very, very good teams, we’re traveling, the game schedule we’ve got — all these things you add together make it a challenging period for us, but I think the players are navigating it really well. We’re playing with a clear identity and a plan.
“Before the international break, I was disappointed with some of the performances, so I think we’ve come back stronger in that regard.
“We have everything to prove. The two games we have are very difficult games, but I believe in the group. Wherever we go if we are close to our best, we can win.”
Had Newcastle managed to maintain the lead given by 19-year-old Lewis Miley, they would have moved up to sixth place. Anthony Gordon Bruno Guimaraes’ unfortunate own goal from the penalty spot was cancelled.
Alejandro Grimaldo scored an 88th-minute equalizer to snatch a point for the hosts, despite the Magpies once conceding a costly late goal.
Howe said: “We’re a team that is hopefully building in the right direction. We’ve had a tough summer – you’ve seen it in some of our early performances. I think the last six have been much better.
“But we’re not perfect and we’re trying our best to evolve and move forward. There are positive signs, but there are still moments where we shoot ourselves in the foot to an extent.
“He had that again today and I know it’s a disappointment not just for me but for the players and everyone because we are making ourselves pay for it at the moment.”
Substitute Miley’s 73rd-minute header made him the club’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, and the teenager will hope his efforts earn him some involvement on Sunday. Premier League Sunderland’s derby trip.
Howe said: “He’s really doing it and that’s all you can ask of any player when they come out on the field, they give their best, they contribute and they prove how good they are.
“I thought he did that when he was on the field tonight. He scored a great goal. I’m really disappointed for him that it wasn’t a match-defining moment.”