Newcastle United players and Eddie Howe express confidence in Champions League last 16 after dominating Qarabag in St James’ Park

After a stunning 9-3 aggregate win over Qarabag, Newcastle United players and staff are brimming with confidence heading into the Champions League last 16.

Winger Jacob Murphy captured the mood perfectly when asked whether he preferred facing Barcelona or Chelsea.

His answer was simple and immediate: “Anyone.”

For Newcastle, the focus is not on the opposition but on backing themselves.

“Honestly, with this group of players, we will take anyone on,” Murphy told Amazon Prime.

“Especially in knockout football, we back ourselves.

Bring on whoever’s to come.” That sentiment reflects a squad that has grown from European newcomers into genuine competitors.

Eddie Howe’s Vision: Belief in the Team

Manager Eddie Howe shares the same fearless outlook.

He insists that reaching the last 16 is just the beginning.

“We have to believe in ourselves,” he said after the Qarabag victory.

“We’ve seen the best of ourselves in one-off cup games where we’ve been able to rise to the challenge.

We’ll need that mindset again, whoever we draw next.”

Newcastle’s success isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s about the belief that they can raise their performance against Europe’s elite.

Howe has emphasized that mindset is just as important as tactics.

Thriving in Europe After Domestic Struggles

Life in Europe has given Newcastle a new sense of purpose.

With 26 goals scored, they are currently the top scorers in this season’s Champions League.

The side has won six matches in a single European campaign for the first time in club history.

The turnaround has been dramatic. Just weeks ago, the team had suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park, prompting boos from the supporters.

Howe admitted he was not doing his job “well enough” at that point.

The defeat triggered soul-searching from the manager and a renewed determination from the squad, who aimed to “fight for the manager.”

Since then, Newcastle have won four of their last five games across all competitions.

Quality Wins Against Strong Opponents

Even with Premier League and European revenue gaps, Newcastle’s victories are far from flukes.

Qarabag had previously drawn against Chelsea and beaten clubs like Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Newcastle’s emphatic wins against Qarabag, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Club, and Union Saint-Gilloise show that they are capable of matching continental powerhouses.

The team has also held their own against giants like Paris St-Germain, drawing 1-1 in France, and narrowly losing 2-1 to Barcelona in their opener.

Defender Dan Burn reflected on these performances, writing that Newcastle have proven they can “compete with anybody” when performing at their best.

Champions League No Longer Intimidating

Newcastle’s players are no longer starstruck by Europe’s biggest clubs.

While last season’s experience was thrilling, including the first Champions League anthem at the San Siro, the squad now approaches these matches with confidence and experience.

Winning the Carabao Cup last March — ending a 70-year domestic trophy drought — also added to the team’s belief in their abilities during high-pressure situations.

Former striker Dwight Gayle believes that Friday’s last 16 draw will generate excitement, not fear.

“They will buzz off someone like Barcelona,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It will create an unbelievable tie. They will be hungry for more.”

What’s Next

Newcastle now wait for Friday’s draw to see who they will face in the last 16.

The focus will be on maintaining form in the Premier League while preparing to challenge Europe’s best.

Expect the squad to approach the next stage with the same fearless mindset, aiming to prove that their Champions League run is no fluke.

Summary

Newcastle United have tra.itioned from Premier League underdogs to genuine Champions League contenders.

With Eddie Howe at the helm and a confident squad led by players like Jacob Murphy and Dan Burn, the club is embracing its European journey.

Six wins in the group stage, a top-scoring record, and strong performances against elite teams have set the stage for a thrilling last 16.

The focus now shifts to the draw, but the message is clear: Newcastle believe they can compete with anyone, anywhere.