Malick Thiaw has reacted to Sunderland qualifying for Europe ahead of Newcastle United.
The Magpies finished 12th in a disappointing Premier League campaign while newly promoted rivals Sunderland claimed six points off them before securing a seventh place finish on the final day, securing Europa League qualification in the process.
It’s the first time the Black Cats have qualified for Europe’s second-tier competition while Newcastle missed out on European qualification completely after competing in the Champions League in the season just gone.
Sunderland success ‘hurts’ NUFC
When asked about Sunderland finishing in Europe, Thiaw told The Gazette: “The first day you come here, you learn about the rivalry and about Sunderland. It hurts us.
“But we have two games next season against Sunderland. We have to be there next season against them.
NUFC expectations not met
Thiaw joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £35million last summer with the side fresh from Carabao Cup success and Champions League qualification.
Despite being hailed as Newcastle’s most impactful summer addition, Thiaw admitted his debut campaign fell short of his expectations upon arriving at the club.
“It's under our expectations,” he added. “Our expectation was to perform better, especially in the Premier League. Sometimes it’s like this in football.
“It’s not like now we go home and think everything's all right. We have to analyse the details really big and what we can do better to come back stronger next season.
“If you look at how we performed in cup games, we played against Man City who won both of the competitions and in the Champions League we did alright.
“But in the Premier League we have to perform. That’s not what we want. We have to do better for our expectations.
“Now everybody goes for holidays, some guys go to the World Cup, and we have to think what we can do better to have a better season in the Premier League.”
Thiaw will be part of the German national team alongside Newcastle teammate Nick Woltemade at this summer’s World Cup in North America. It’s the 24-year-old’s first major tournament with his country as they eye a fifth World Cup title.
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