Guimaraes helped inspire Newcastle's 3-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League
Sean McCormick is a football writer covering Newcastle United for ChronicleLive. After starting his career covering North East sport, he has had a spell working as an editor on the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
Bruno Guimaraes' through pass to Jacob Murphy helped set up Newcastle's opening goal against Benfica
Bruno Guimaraes' through pass to Jacob Murphy helped set up Newcastle's opening goal against Benfica
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Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes was one of the key driving forces behind their 3-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Guimaraes was the only member of the Magpies' first choice midfield to start the game, with Sandro Tonali not risked after suffering from illness and Joelinton rested against Jose Mourinho's side.
The 27-year-old led a midfield which was made up by new signing Jacob Ramsey and teenager Lewis Miley and set the tone for a huge win by dictating the game from midfield.
With the game finely poised at 0-0 in the first half and both sides creating plenty of chances, the Brazil international grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
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It was his excellent through ball that split the Benfica defence and set Jacob Murphy away into the right-hand side of the box. Murphy cut the ball back across the box sharply for Anthony Gordon to tuck the ball home with an easy finish at the back post.
The goal proved the springboard for Newcastle to grab two more in their 3-0 win to secure back-to-back Champions League wins for the first time since 2003.
It is the type of pass that has made him a favourite of Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, too. Twice Guimaraes set up goals for his country in the October international break with passes that were eerily similar to the one we saw on Tuesday night.
In Brazil's 5-0 win over South Korea, he Newcastle captain's clever pass split the defence and Chelsea teenager Willian Estevao latched on to the ball in the box before finishing with aplomb.
Then in their 3-2 defeat to Japan, Guimaraes created the first goal. After a neat one-two with Lucas Paqueta, he threaded a through ball through the Japanese defence for Paulo Henrique to rifle home from the right hand side of the penalty area.
Bruno Guimaraes creating a goal for Paulo Henrique in Brazil's 3-2 defeat against Japan
Bruno Guimaraes creating a goal for Paulo Henrique in Brazil's 3-2 defeat against Japan
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Sometimes Guimaraes' shooting and passing ability can look a bit awkward but his game management, close control and ability in tight spaces sets him apart from most midfielders in the Premier League. But that sort of progressive passing is one of his biggest qualities and only Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Arsenal's Martin Odegaard have completed more through balls than Guimaraes in the Premier League since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Now it is starting to pay dividends for both club and country and Newcastle will hope they continue to benefit from it as they compete on four different fronts this season.
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