Pre-Match Insights from Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe
On the eve of the Champions League playoff match against Qarabag, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe shared his thoughts on the significance of the fixture:
To get to the last 16 of this competition would be an incredible achievement and we’re trying to embrace it in that way. We’re trying to look at the excitement and the possibility rather than feel too much of the burden of the pressure of the occasion. We want to turn these moments and these games into history opportunities and into moments people talk about for a long time. There’s a real excitement with this game and the travel and the number of supporters we’re bringing, so it’d all set to be a great occasion. Then of course, we have to do our bit. We have to bring our A game, we have to approach the game the right way in terms of our attitude – I know we will – and then we have to deliver like we have in our last two away games.
Team Lineups and Match Context
Before kickoff, here is the lineup for both teams:
Qarabag Starting XI: Kochalski, Matheus Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, Cafarquliyev, Pedro Bicalho, Jankovic, Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir, Duran.
Substitutes: Ramazanov, Buntic, Mmaee, Addai, Daniel, Borges, Kashchuk, Qurbanly, Bayramov, Abbas Huseynov, Cabrayilzada, Badavi Huseynov.
Newcastle Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes, Gordon.
Substitutes: Ruddy, Ramsdale, Harris, Joelinton, Osula, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy, Ramsey, Shahar, Neave.
Match Preview and Background
Welcome to the minute-by-minute coverage of the Champions League playoff between Qarabag and Newcastle United.
Qarabag currently sit second in the Azerbaijan Premier League. Their recent Champions League outing saw a heavy 6-0 defeat against Liverpool. Historically, Qarabag have struggled against English clubs, having lost eight of nine encounters, although they managed a draw against Chelsea during this season’s Champions League group stage.
Newcastle United appear to have regained form following consecutive victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, ending a five-match winless streak. The team faces a challenging journey, traveling 2,529 miles to Baku, and will be eager to secure their first victory in a Champions League knockout fixture.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5.45pm GMT. Stay tuned for live updates throughout the game.
