Has there been a bigger night at St James' Park since Tino Asprilla fired in a hat-trick to gun down Barcelona?
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is looking to capture the spirit of 1997 and Tino Asprilla's famous hat-trick against Barcelona
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is looking to capture the spirit of 1997 and Tino Asprilla's famous hat-trick against Barcelona
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Eddie Howe called on the spirit of 1997 to help Newcastle United earn their biggest win in the club’s modern history against Barcelona.
The Magpies’ season will be as good as over if they bow out to Barca in the last 16 after slipping down the Premier League and into the bottom half of the table.
Howe had no issues playing up his stars in comparison to 90s heroes Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie. In the corridors of St James’ Park is a portrait of Asprilla after the Colombian got a hat-trick against Barcelona 29 years ago.
Howe said: "In 30 years' time, I want our players to be talked about the way Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie are now.
“There was a reason why that Barca game was the best atmosphere because the team played so well.
“That is because the team gave the crowd what they needed, and that is what we have to give them.”
Newcastle have already lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League this season. Howe hopes to use the defeat as further inspiration.
He said: “It (the atmosphere) was incredible in September and we couldn't do our bit in the previous game, but we know the crowd will be there when we need them.”
Faustino Asprilla scores one of his three goals in Newcastle United's 3-2 Champions League win over Barcelona at St James' Park, September 17, 1997
Faustino Asprilla scores one of his three goals in Newcastle United's 3-2 Champions League win over Barcelona at St James' Park, September 17, 1997(Image: Daily Mirror)
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Howe also had no issue taking the tag of underdogs and said: “I think for me that is the mentality we need.
“Rising to the occasion and embracing the size of the game has helped us. “The underdog role has helped us when the odds are stacked against us, and we need to use every psychological tool we can.”
Howe spoke of the game being the biggest in Newcastle’s history as the Magpies embark on their first ever knockout game in Europe’s premier competition.
He said: “There's only 16 teams left and we are one of them.
“We don't want to waste that opportunity and this is a moment for us to grab it.
“Over my time of four years, we have worked really hard to get to this point.”
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