Newcastle United take on Athletic Club in the Champions League on Wednesday night as Eddie Howe looks to return to winning ways.
Eddie Howe’s attention turns back to the Champions League as Newcastle United look to hit back.
The Magpies lost to West Ham United on Sunday, suffering an away defeat after three straight home wins in all competitions.
Newcastle have played well in the Champions League, though, and will look to recapture that feeling against Athletic Club.
Dan Burn and Sven Botman in action for Newcastle United
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Athletic Club boss highlights three Newcastle United players
Athletic are in shaky form at the moment, and Newcastle will be favourites to claim all three points.
Nico Williams is set to miss out for Athletic, who were beaten by Getafe on Saturday.
Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde has spoken to the media ahead of Wednesday’s game and has picked out three Newcastle players as danger men.
You would expect him to pick out attacking players such as Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy.
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Maybe even the regular midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton?
No, Valverde went with Newcastle’s two centre-backs and left-back, pointing towards Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
Valverde feels that all three defenders are major threats from set pieces and crosses into the box.
Valverde added that some Premier League teams struggle to handle those three players, so it will be a challenge for Athletic.
“The two centre-backs and the left-back are very tall and can cause problems, so we have to defend. Even for Premier League teams, it’s difficult to defend against these players, so it’s difficult for us too,” said Valverde when speaking to El Desmarque.
Valverde may be concerned, but Alan Shearer slammed Newcastle’s lack of set-piece threat against West Ham.
The Magpies must improve from dead balls in order for Thiaw, Botman and Burn to really live up to Valverde’s fears.
Ernesto Valverde praises Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe
Valverde is clearly expecting a tough test against Newcastle, praising the ‘high tempo’ football on offer from the Magpies.
The Athletic boss feels Newcastle are a very good pressing team, and hailed boss Eddie Howe as a ‘good strategist’.
“I think they play at a very high tempo. They press very high up the pitch. They try to win the ball back in the opposition’s half, and the manager is a good strategist,” said Valverde.
Athletic lost to Arsenal earlier in the competition, and they were beaten by Manchester United in last season’s Europa League semi-finals.
Valverde has struggled against English sides in 2025, and Newcastle will look to add another defeat to his record on Wednesday night.