After arriving a few hours late due to adverse weather conditions last night, Eddie Howe spoke to the press at the San Siro ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League opener against AC Milan.
He admitted that Tuesday’s game will be the first time he’s ever attended a Champions League game, but has urged his players to play their own game and execute our game plan – not focus too much on the occasion. Howe then highlighted the importance of a fast start, believing that’s ‘imperative’ given the atmosphere we’re likely to face.
The boss added that we left later on Monday to do our tactical work ‘behind closed doors’ on Tyneside, feeling it’s ‘overrated’ to arrive at the stadium after snubbing the opportunity to train at the San Siro.
On the fitness front, he confirmed that Callum Wilson training alone on Monday morning was standard procedure two days after a game, insisting there’s no concern there. Elsewhere, Sandro Tonali is expected to be OK, but Joelinton has been rule out of the game with a knee injury.
Howe not only took questions from local journalists such as Craig Hope, Lee Ryder and Luke Edwards, but also spoke to the Italian press, a Swedish reporter keen to ask about Alexander Isak. Watch it in full below:
