Pope saved a clear sheet in Milan (Picture: Getty)Eddie Howe hailed Nick Pope’s goalkeeping heroics after Newcastle United earned a degree of their return to the Champions League towards AC Milan.
Newcastle held final season’s semi-finalists to a goalless draw on the San Siro on Wednesday evening.
The hosts missed a string of possibilities to attain in entrance of their very own followers with Pope making various saves in a frenetic opening 20 minutes.
Having additionally saved a clear sheet towards Brentford within the Premier League on Saturday, Howe singled out his goalkeeper after the ultimate whistle in Italy.
‘I believed Nick was excellent immediately,’ Howe stated. ‘He was glorious towards Brentford though he didn’t have lots to do and his all-round sport was at his highest stage.
‘It’s no coincidence, two massive shows and two clear sheets from him which is totally essential to us. He was an enormous a part of our success final yr and little doubt he’ll be the identical this yr.’
Milan gamers and supervisor Stefano Pioli bemoaned their missed alternatives on the evening with Rafael Leao particularly irritating in entrance of objective.
Howe delighted with the resilience proven by his aspect (Picture: Getty)‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion however I didn’t assume the draw was luck on our half,’ Howe stated.
‘We’re barely disenchanted with how we performed with the ball tonight however there’s a great deal of totally different causes for that.
‘It was essential to defend the objective, however that’s not how we ready for the match. We tried to assault and push ahead, however we didn’t succeed. We stayed compact defensively, and it labored properly as a result of they couldn’t rating.’
He added: ‘Again, I’ll reward the gamers for the defensive qualities that they confirmed immediately. We know we will do higher with the ball, however hopefully that can come.’
Newcastle discover themselves in a gaggle alongside Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund with the French champions securing a 2-0 win over the Germans on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle host PSG at St James’ Park in two weeks’ time.
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First seem at Eddie Howe singles out ‘excellent’ Nick Pope after Newcastle earn level in Champions League return towards Milan
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