Welcome back to St. James’ Park for our third UEFA Champions League home match of the season – your support in the first two games has been unbelievable and we need you again tonight.
We faced tonight’s visitors Athletic Club three years ago here in a pre-season game. Of course, it’s not the same as the Champions League but we know they have a great team. We have studied them, and they have plenty of good players for us to be aware of. They have quick players in the attack, so we have to start the game well, control the game. But when we play at home, I’m backing my side every time.
Sunday’s defeat at West Ham was disappointing for all of us. But when we don’t get a result, it’s a good thing to play another game quickly so we have a chance to turn things around and tonight is a big opportunity to make an unbelievable step in the Champions League.
Your support at the London Stadium was amazing, and it has been for years. You are always on our side. On Champions League nights we always hope for an unbelievable atmosphere, and we can play at our best. We owe the fans our best performance, and we’re very excited to go and get a good result.
We are so focused on turning things around and getting an important three points. The confidence in the squad is always there, even more when we play at home – it’s a safe place for us where we know we play our best football. We have to use this power, this connection we have between the players and fans, to get the three points.
It’s a good challenge for us to keep winning at home. We need that fire back that drives us for many years. We need that fire again and we can make nine points in the Champions League, so the game is very important. With the support of our fans, we will make our best performance to get the three points.
Our goal is to qualify as soon as possible, even more in the new format where all games at home are like a final. This is another final we have at home, another big opportunity. Hopefully we can make an unbelievable game and the fans can go home happy. Let’s face them with our best way.
