Matthias Jaissle opens up on "extra motivation" as Newcastle face Sandro Tonali for the first time
Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali completed a club-record move from Newcastle United(Image: Aleksander Jason/MB Media/Getty Images)
Matthias Jaissle admits that facing £100million Newcastle United old boy Sandro Tonali will provide his Toon team with "extra motivation" on Saturday night against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Italy international faces his old club for the first time since the mega sale to Spurs earlier this summer, and Jaissle feels that his team benefited from the hostility directed at £125m Liverpool striker Alexander Isak in his opening game.
Tonali's exit was met with a mixed reception on Tyneside, not least because the transfer paved the way for the arrival of Nico Gonalez, who is poised to face Tonali this weekend.
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When asked about Tonali's first outing against Newcastle, Jaissle said at his Press conference: "I was aware he was a player here, a really important player here who left the club.
"Tottenham did not only sign him, as a huge signing, so we are facing a huge challenge on Saturday. It is always nice to face old team-mates, so there should at least be special motivation. That worked against Isak already so hopefully it will work for us on Saturday."
But Jaissle stopped short on an all barrage of boos against Tonali, insisting that support for the current crop in black and white is the best remedy for success.
When asked if he would encourage a hot reception for Tonali, Jaissle added: "I would love we have many, many supporters behind us in London. That's the most important thing, focusing on our lads and bringing that energy on the pitch.
"Or at least the players transfer that on to the pitch. That's the most important thing, that was the reason why we played a fantastic game against Liverpool and also in the cup against West Brom."
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