‘This is where the club wants to be’ Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier has been talking ahead of Newcastle United facing Barcelona in the Champions League.

The latest in a very busy schedule of matches that has proved a huge challenge for United.

So many highs and lows this season, as trying to compete in four competitions has meant that Eddie Howe and his players have so far had more competitive matches this season, than any other club that plays in the top five European leagues.

Kieran Trippier reflecting on Saturday night’s League Cup exit to Manchester City: “I think that the first 30 minutes, 35 minutes, we matched them. Harvey Barnes scored a great goal but Manchester City are Manchester City and if you let them back in the game, they have got that individual quality to win games. No excuses, we got beat by the better team.”

With such a strong squad Pep Guardiola was able to make ten changes to refresh his team after the midweek Premier League match, yet not significantly impact the quality.

Eddie Howe not having that same luxury, especially with so many players not able to be considered for the starting eleven in that FA Cup match.

Kieran Trippier telling the official club media about the defeat to Man City: “No matter who you are playing at home, you have to show ourselves and especially the supporters, that we want to be on the front foot. I thought we did that. Sometimes Manchester City dictate play and it can be difficult at times but I thought we matched them [in the first half]. But to concede so early in the second half killed the momentum. The game certainly swung their way and then they are on top, especially when they get the third…it was a great strike. Then you’re chasing the game, and then it’s very difficult, because Man City show with the individuals that they have, how they kill games, how they slow games down. So it’s a tough one to take for us as players and especially the supporters.”

Having to play with only ten men for most of that win over Manchester United, only 72 hours earlier, it clearly didn’t help.

However, Kieran Trippier stating: “There are no excuses, we did go down to ten men and we put in a really strong performance, then we are playing again a few days later. But I am not using that as an excuse, because I have been in this position, personally, throughout my whole career, and I’m sure this is where this club wants to be. They want to be playing every three days, they want to be playing in the Champions League, going far in every cup. So there’s no excuses; as a player, as a club, you want to be playing every single competition. We just have to forget about this game now, because we’ve got another massive game against Barcelona.”

The England defender played in the 2019 Champions League final when Tottenham lost to Liverpool.

Then with Atletico Madrid he reached the last eight in the competition.

Now needing to get past Barcelona to once again reach the quarter-finals: “Like I said, this is where the club wants to be, where the club needs to be for the supporters. Of course they are going to be disappointed with the result [against Man City, but the lads, physically, we gave everything. It was a big shift against Man U midweek, but again, no excuses. Now we just have to refresh, recover well and again, a massive game against Barcelona on Tuesday. I’m sure the supporters will be up for that.”

A huge night awaits and both players and Newcastle United fans need to do everything they can to extend this Champions League campaign.