Exclusive: Malick Thiaw refuses to accept that Newcastle's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League are all but over
Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Malick Thiaw(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Malick Thiaw feels that Newcastle United's battling display at Manchester City proves that they are very much up for the fight in the Premier League's run-in.
The Magpies are stll well off the pace in terms of qualifying for the Champions League and lie nine points adrift of the top five.
But United's run in the current Champions League season remain very much intact and the FA Cup fifth round is just around the corner against Man City, only this time with home advantage.
Newcastle went toe to toe with Pep Guardiola's side with Erling Haaland left rattled and Thiaw himself involved in one or two physical duels with the Norwegian with the striker's arm causing a blow to the German defender in the first half, an incident that was checked and cleared by VAR.
Thiaw told Chronicle Live: "I think we can look at it (the season) in different ways. I think we could be leaving here without losing this game.
"Man City away is never easy. But we can look at the good things, and how we improved from the last time we played at the Etihad Stadium. We need to try to build something from there."
Newcastle will face Qarabag in the second leg of the Champions League play-offs on Tuesday and hoping to book a place in the last 16 of the competition.
A tie against Barcelona or Chelsea awaits and Thiaw was in confident mood about the rest of the season as he left to board the team bus on Saturday night, despite tasting a defeat.
Thiaw will get an enforced rest for the encounter with the team from Azerbaijan but will be fighting fit for the Everton game on Saturday.
He said: "We are still in the Champions League as well and then we are back at home against Everton on Saturday where we will try to take the points there."
When asked if Newcastle were out of the race for the Champions League via the Premier League places, Thiaw said: "It is always just game by game. That is our focus right now. We will keep it going."
As Thiaw takes a breather, after picking up a yellow card at the Tofiq Ismayilov Stadium in the first leg, Howe is likely to draft Sven Botman back into his defensive rearguard.
Thiaw, the clear hit of all Newcastle's summer business from 2025, said: "I get a rest yes. But I hope to come back even stronger against Everton, I will be there I hope!"
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