‘Really makes Newcastle tick’: Nick Pope says Magpies have a truly ‘top player’ in their ranks

Thu 21 September 2023 7:15, UK

Newcastle United made a solid return to Ch♏ampions League action after 20 years, picking up a point on the road.

The Magpies finished in the Premier League top four last s🎉eason to secure a spot in Europe’s premier c🌠lub competition.

Newcastle had a tough fixture away at﷽ AC Milan in their Champions League opener, and left with a point in a ෴0-0 draw.

Nick Pope was the hero for the Magpies, making a nu🍃mber 💧of saves to keep the Rossoneri at bay on their turf.

Other New♛castle players did well on the night, such as Bruno Guimaraes.

He had a 92 percent pass accuracy, completing 29 out of 36, and🀅 won seven of his 13 duels.

Admittedl♚y, Guimaraes wasn’t at his very best as Milan’s marking ensured he had little time on the ball.

Nonethele🌠ss, the Brazilian put in a decent performance, and obviously ⛦his impact at Newcastle has been great since joining.

interviewed Pope – as well as Newcastle boss Eddie ▨Howe – and asཧked them about the midfielder.

“Massive, you know,” the Magpies keeper said about Guimares’ ✅impꦗact on the game.

“He’s the brain, he’s the hea🔴rt, he’s a little bit of every🎶thing. He’s a top player.

“Pleased to have him on our side and he’s s🔴omeone who dictates the play for us, sets the tempo.

“He’s a top player. On and🍸 off the ball he really makes Newcastl🍨e tick.”

Our view

Gui♏maraes was one of the first players to join Newcastle after their takeover and he has been a star at St James’ Park.

He didn’t need long to find his feet and has been an indispensable player forꦿ the Magpies for a while now.

It’s good to see Guimaraes and his teammates in the𒁏 Champions League now.

Newcastle also got back to w🥀inning ways in𝕴 the Premier League at the weekend.

Hope♎fully things will continue to l🅷ook up on both fronts as the season goes on.