Barcelona showed a touch of class in many ways last night, both on and off the pitch.
Before and after the game, I only had positive interactions with their fans who made the trip. Hansi Flick also spoke highly of the team Eddie Howe has built and was told by his players ahead of the match just how special the atmosphere will be inside St James’ Park.
After the game, silky midfielder and man of the match contender Frenkie De Jong had nothing but good things to say about Newcastle fans and the spectacle created last night, with Flick complimentary once again after his side dug deep to come away 2-1 winners.
On St James’ Park and Newcastle fans, De Jong said:
“I heard a lot from the players in the Dutch team who play in the Premier League about the atmosphere in this stadium.”
“The atmosphere was fantastic when we entered the pitch, truly wonderful. They are real football fans!”
Speaking to the media after the match, Flick paid tribute to the “fantastic” atmosphere and Howe’s side, praising our pressing, power, speed and defensive solidity, and his side’s ability to weather the storm in the opening 20 minutes:
“This is the Champions League, what we played today. The atmosphere was fantastic, and Newcastle was very good. A tall, physically strong team, with fast and tall players who defend well. I appreciate it.”
“I expected Newcastle to play the way they played in the first 15 minutes. From then on we managed to get back on track.”
“My staff and I talked to the players about the importance of not conceding a goal in the first 20 minutes. It wasn’t easy.”
A Champions League lesson, in the end, as we had a top side on the ropes early on, only to miss big chances and be punished at the other end as two moments of Barcelona quality delivered the knockout blow.
It was noticeable how unaffected FCB were by the atmosphere .. if anything it galvanised them.
GR(Quote)
Different game if Gordon or Barnes scored those chances,,
MorpethMag(Quote)