2023-11-29 05:24:07
Long in front, the Magpies had to settle for a point on Tuesday, against PSG, in the Champions League. Their coach had a bitter taste.
So close, so far… At the start of the 97th minute, Newcastle were masters of their destiny before the last day of the Champions League. At the end of this match against PSG (1-1) and therefore after this penalty from Kylian Mbappé, this was no longer the case… A decision which is not to the taste of Eddie Howe, the coach of the Magpies. “Injustice? Yes, I think this is not the right decision. There are so many parameters to take into account at this point, and first of all speed. In slow motion, it’s so different from real speed… It hits the chest first, the ball goes up and hits the hand. But I don’t think his hand is in an unnatural position. It’s a bad decision. It’s so frustrating for us because at this point, you know how much time is left in the match… There’s nothing left to do now», rails the English technician, at a press conference.
The Toons are now fourth in Group F, who will host Milan, third, on the final day. “We’re still alive. We’re going to fight. And it could have been very different because they missed a lot of chances… You have to look at the positive, not the negative», Said Howe, who did not fail to praise the performance of his goalkeeper, Nick Pope, but also of the team, largely weakened by injuries. “When the emotions have subsided, we will look at the positives and realize what the players gave. I couldn’t ask for more. It’s a great performance collectively and individually», he assures, expressing his desire to continue in C1 and affirming that his players are “great club ambassadors“. He also stressed that it is necessary “give credit» in Newcastle for PSG’s missed opportunities.
Read also PSG notes against Newcastle: Mbappé nerves of steel, Donnarumma (again) at fault
You just hope the referee can actually see what happened without being influenced but that wasn’t the case.
Eddie Howe
Regarding the penalty, Eddie Howe responded in the affirmative when asked if it was “furious». «I have to control myself. It’s my job. But it doesn’t do any good to lose control over what you think or say. I’m just disappointed with what the players gave, the way we performed in very difficult circumstances. Now we no longer have our destiny in our hands… It’s hard after being so close to winning».
And to continue, about his feeling when he saw the Polish referee, Mr. Marciniak, heading towards the monitor to see the images and this hand from Tino Livramento and the pressure put on by the Parisians at that moment: “It wasn’t the first time in the match. There was a fear that out of numbers, it would go against us at one point. While each decision must be made independently of others. When he went to see the footage you feared the worst, you just hoped the referee could actually see what happened without being influenced but that wasn’t the case. What if I went to ask the referees for explanations at the end? I’m not very good at this, I don’t think this is the right time to do it“. It’s probably wise…
#decision