Eddie Howe says Bruno Guimaraes convinced him of his fitness before Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club, as he praised the Brazilian midfielder for a ‘strong’ will to play.
The Magpies secured a third victory of their European campaign on Wednesday night thanks to a pair of headers from Dan Burn and Joelinton, recording three straight wins in a major continental competition for the first time in 18 years.
Newcastle were boosted by Guimaraes’ availability for the contest after the midfielder missed training through illness on Tuesday and admitted it felt like he had ‘10 kilograms on his back’ following the victory at St James’ Park.
Howe revealed he had a ‘detailed talk’ with Guimaraes on Wednesday morning and said the Brazilian convinced him of his fitness by telling him he was ‘feeling like a million dollars’.
Guimaraes spent 66 minutes on the pitch against Athletic, making one key pass and registering 94% pass accuracy (31/33), before being replaced by Lewis Miley with Newcastle leading 2-0.
Eddie Howe Praises ‘Strong’ Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes
Howe, speaking in his post-match press conference, said he felt Newcastle ‘lost a little bit’ when Guimaraes came off in the second half of their 2-0 win over Athletic.
He was also asked to comment on the Brazilian midfielder saying he felt like he had ‘10 kilograms on his back’ after his recovery from illness:
“He wasn't saying that to me this morning, he said he was feeling a million dollars!
“In all seriousness his character is undoubted and his will to play is so strong.
“I did have a detailed talk with him and he assured me he was fit to produce a performance that the team needed while probably acknowledging he wasn't at 100%.
“That's why we withdrew him when we did, to try and protect him. But I think we lost a little bit when he came off the pitch speaking honestly. That's why he's so important to us.”
Guimaraes made his 15th appearance of the campaign on Wednesday and has registered three goals and four assists so far.
The £200,000-a-week midfielder assisted Newcastle’s only goal in their 3-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday, which saw the Magpies lose for a third time in their last five Premier League games.
With three wins and a loss, Newcastle sit sixth in the Champions League standings and will face Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain in their remaining four games of the league phase.
Howe’s side are 13th in the Premier League after winning three games out of 10 and visit Brentford on Sunday before November’s international break.