On a night when legends can be made, Tino Asprilla has issued a rallying cry to Newcastle United ahead of facing Barcelona.
The former Newcastle United striker has been flown in for the Champions League clash at St James’ Park, 28 years after his historic night in the same fixture. Tino Asprilla scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in 1997, cementing his status as a Toon icon.
Now the Colombian has issued a spine-tingling message to the current Newcastle United squad, as they prepare to lock horns with the La Liga giants once again.
The club have shared an incredible video of Asprilla talking about facing Barcelona on their social channels, with his final three words being: “Get into them!”
What Jamie Carragher said about Newcastle United’s ‘get into them’ banner
Wor Flags regularly display a banner inside St James’ Park that reads ‘get into them’. It is Eddie Howe’s favourite, encouraging his players to play with intensity and passion.
It was recently utilised for Newcastle’s match against Liverpool, when emotions were extremely high. The Alexander Isak situation had intensified the heat between the two clubs, with the ferocity spilling from the stands onto the pitch.
It ultimately went too far, with Anthony Gordon receiving a red card for a very poor challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
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After the game, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher spoke about the red card and took issue with the pre-match ‘get into them’ message.
“There was always a chance that Newcastle would lose a player tonight,” he said.
“We saw banners in the crowd, into them. Yeah there’s been people even on social media, their ownership saying get into them.
“It’s like sometimes you need to play with your brain and obviously here as well.”
Newcastle United fans hold up a banner reading 'get into them' ahead of facing Liverpool in the Premier League.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Newcastle United fans will cheer every tackle against Barcelona
Despite the previous complaints from Carragher, Newcastle United absolutely will get into Barcelona. They simply have to. It needs to be an uncomfortable night for the La Liga giants.
When Newcastle beat PSG in the Champions League in 2023, St James’ Park was ferocious. Tackles were cheered just as loud as goals, with the players responding to the Toon Army with celebrations of their own.
It was an out of this world atmosphere, and one that Newcastle fans will hope to replicate against Barcelona.
Howe will know that is partially down to how the players go about their business. If they press high and show aggression, the fans will match them.
It is a night for passion. It is a night when Newcastle United simply must ‘get into them’.