Howe praises ‘perfect’ defending against AC Milan but vows to ‘improve’ in the next match

Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle ‘did not aim to defend deep’ against AC Milan, praised some key individuals and hopes to ‘grow and improve’ after battling 0-0 at the San Siro. 

At times we certainly rode our luck as AC Milan had as many as nine shots on target with Nick Pope making six saves in the first 20 minutes.

Thanks to the former Burnley shot-stopper, we registered our second clean sheet in a row – after just two since February – with Howe claiming he was ‘outstanding’ and a ‘huge part of our success last season’. 

The boss has also vowed that we will be seeing a ‘different Newcastle’ in the next match, suggesting the atmosphere and emotion of the game affected the players and result.

Sandro Tonali made his return to the San Siro after arriving from Milan in the summer and was praised by Howe for how well he coped, but he also made it known it was important Howe we ‘manage him’.

Here’s what Howe had to say on the performance:

“We did not aim to defend deep. Our defending was a bit loose. But around the game we defended the 18 yard box perfectly.

“It was crucial to defend the goal, but that’s not how we prepared for the match. We tried to attack and push forward, but we didn’t succeed. We stayed compact defensively, and it worked well because they couldn’t score.

“We are not disappointed with the result, but perhaps we lacked some luck. We defended with our bodies on their shots. Of course, to progress in this tournament, we need to do better, but let’s not focus on the negatives.”

Here’s what Howe had to say on moving forwards:

“We know we can grow and improve. We can be very positive about the next game.

“We must consider the atmosphere and the emotion at the beginning. We will improve, and in the next match, you will see a different Newcastle.”

Here’s what Howe had to say on Tonali’s return to the San Siro:

“Sandro did a good job; it was a very…

Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2023/09/19/howe-praises-perfect-defending-against-ac-milan-but-vows-to-improve-in-the-next-match/

Author : Andrew Reynolds

Publish date : 2023-09-19 19:47:56

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