Howe: Defeating Barcelona Could Turn Us Into Newcastle Icons
Eddie Howe has encouraged his squad to achieve legendary status at Newcastle by replicating the club's iconic 1997 Champions League triumph against Barcelona ahead of their last sixteen first leg clash with the Spanish powerhouse.
Newcastle will welcome the La Liga frontrunners on Tuesday in what represents a potentially transformative juncture for Howe's outfit.
Supporters continue to speak with awe about Faustino Asprilla's treble and Keith Gillespie's outstanding display during the Magpies' 3-2 victory over Barca in the Champions League group phase 29 years back.
Howe, who was just beginning his professional playing days at Bournemouth back then, viewed that extraordinary encounter on TV as a young lad.
Today, Howe and his group have an opportunity to inscribe their own legacy in Newcastle's storied past by overcoming Hansi Flick's glamorous lineup.
"Indeed I saw the match. I was deeply immersed in my own playing ambitions at the time. Yet it was impossible to overlook such an event. It ranks among those timeless fixtures," Howe shared with journalists on Monday.
"Naturally we hope that generations from now will still discuss this squad. Tino Asprilla scoring a hat trick off Keith Gillespie's crosses from the flank.
"I would love for our current players to receive similar acclaim two or three decades on."
Newcastle have advanced to the Champions League knockout stage of the last 16 for just the second occasion.
Howe fully grasps the significance of this milestone since joining Newcastle in 2021 when the team was in turmoil.
With the substantial backing from the club's Saudi proprietors, Howe has elevated the side from being a subject of ridicule.
A chance we must seize
Newcastle claimed their first silverware in 56 years by upsetting Liverpool in the League Cup final during the previous campaign.
Overcoming Barcelona would represent an even grander accomplishment for Howe, who motivated his players to capitalise on this rare prospect.
"Just 16 sides remain and ours is among them. This is truly a chance to grasp an instant that might never recur. One can never predict what tomorrow holds, much less upcoming campaigns," Howe remarked.
"We have no desire to look back with regret or squander this chance pondering hypotheticals.
"Thus this is an occasion we need to seize. Over my slightly more than four years here, we have strived to reach this stage.
"Provided we deliver our utmost effort, we must accept whatever outcome follows."
Describing the Barcelona fixture as the most pivotal in Newcastle's history, Howe suggested that embracing an underdog mindset might enable them to surprise the five time European title holders.
"That is precisely the outlook required, stepping up to the challenge and welcoming the game's magnitude," he noted.
"To some extent, the underdog position has aided us during my tenure, particularly when we sensed the challenges were overwhelming.
"We will require every mental strategy available since there is no question we face a formidable opponent, one exceptionally well managed.
"All our prior Champions League outings have served as excellent preparation for this."
Newcastle already encountered Barca earlier this term, suffering a 2-1 home defeat in the group stage due to goals from Marcus Rashford.
"Facing the elite sides allows you to carry valuable insights into subsequent matches," Howe added.
"We can draw plenty from that showing. With any luck, we can apply insights gained from that encounter."