Eddie Howe warned of the difficulty of facing the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League at Barcelona Stadium, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at St. James Park, stressing that the match represents a major challenge for his team.
Howe stated during the press conference held on Tuesday at Camp Nou Stadium that the young player, Luis Mele, will miss the match, in addition to his absence from the “Tyne-Wear” derby against Sunderland next Sunday, and he expects him to return to participate after the international break.
Regarding Sandro Tonali’s readiness, Howe stated that today’s training will provide the first opportunity to evaluate his physical fitness before making the final decision regarding his participation, expressing his optimism about the possibility of him joining the match.
The coach emphasized Tonali’s commitment, noting that he puts the team’s interest first and works hard for the club, calling for ignoring the noise surrounding him and focusing instead on his efforts and full dedication.
Regarding the impact of the match’s result on the club’s future, Howe explained that the focus should be on the current performance, rather than thinking about the final results or their potential repercussions on the upcoming summer transfer market.
