Newcastle have the standard to make an actual influence within the Champions League knockout levels, mentioned Eddie Howe after the Magpies secured their place within the final 16.
A 3-2 second leg win at St. James’ Park accomplished a 9-3 mixture demolition of Azerbaijan champions Qarabağ, confirming Newcastle as one in every of six Premier League sides within the draw on Friday – when they are going to uncover whether or not Barcelona or Chelsea await them subsequent month.
And Howe was in no temper to easily benefit from the second. He mentioned: “We wish to go so far as we are able to and why not? I believe we’re adequate to do it.
“That’s the good factor now in our season. There’s a optimistic really feel that whoever we get within the subsequent spherical, will probably be a tremendous tie for us.
“I imagine that we are able to increase our sport and compete with anyone. That’s what we’re going to must do whoever we get, however I simply assume it’s an enormous factor for us to present our season an additional increase to get by this knockout part after which into the subsequent one.
“That’s the mindset we now have to have. Now we have to imagine in ourselves. I believe we’ve seen the perfect of ourselves this yr after we’ve gone into cup video games and one-off video games the place we’ve been capable of actually rise to no matter problem we’ve had in entrance of us.”
It’s the first time Newcastle have reached the final 16 of their 4 makes an attempt within the competitors, and represents a big milestone within the membership’s European journey.
The result was by no means actually unsure after final week’s 6-1 rout in Baku, and any lingering Qarabağ optimism was extinguished inside six minutes when Sandro Tonali and Joelinton struck in fast succession.
The guests confirmed significantly extra struggle than they’d in Azerbaijan, with Camilo Duran and Elvin Jafarguliyev each discovering the online after the break, however Sven Botman’s header in between ensured a cushty sufficient night time for the hosts.
Howe mentioned: “It’s an enormous achievement for us to get to the final 16. I don’t care who you play at this stage, it’s a troublesome draw and we did nearly all of the work within the away sport.
“However we’ve come by very well and immediately. We had been capable of rotate our squad to a level with blended success. I don’t assume it was an incredible efficiency, however I’m actually happy that we received.”
Qarabağ boss Gurban Gurbanov took delight in his aspect’s improved show, saying: “I want to thank my gamers as a result of they’d an extended Champions League marketing campaign. Briefly, I want to say I’m very glad with their sport as a result of their efficiency was nice.”
