Newcastle ace ‘really struggled’ and admits he ‘must improve’ while Sandro Tonali shines
Dan Owen
4 – 5 minutes
Two Newcastle United midfielders, two games in two different continents, and two very different performances.
While Sandro Tonali put his long ban firmly in the rearview mirror with a masterful display during Italyâs 3-1 Nations League victory over France, Bruno Guimaraes and Brazil creeped rather than cruised past Ecuador in Friday nightâs World Cup qualifier.
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Italy, like Newcastle United for much of last seasonâs Premier League, were denied the services of Tonali at the summerâs European Championships.
And how they missed him.
The sight of ÂŁ60 million man Tonali breezing through Franceâs midfield at the Parc des Princes â setting up Federico Dimarcoâs glorious volley with an equally striking backheel flick â must have elicited a rather bittersweet reaction from the travelling Azzurri faithful.
Bruno GuimarĂŁes (L) of Brazil and Enner Valencia of Ecuador compete for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and …
Photo by Andre Ricardo/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Mixed night for Newacstleâs Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes
On one hand, Tonaliâs return after 10 months out is a cause for much celebration, both for his country and his club.
But it is difficult to ignore the lingering feeling that, if the former AC Milan ace had not allowed himself to fall foul of the FAâs strict betting rules, Italy would have made a far better fist of their ill-fated Euros campaign.
The contrast between Tonaliâs brilliantly buccaneering display against the 2018 World champions and Guimaraesâ over in Curitiba, meanwhile, could hardly have been more stark.
So consistent in those black-and-white stripes, Guimaraes looked strangely ill-at-ease alongside Wolves newbie Andre Trindade in a revamped Brazil midifeld.
Goal, while still giving Guimaraes a 6/10 in their post-match player ratings, felt that Newcastleâs talismanic playmaker âreally struggledâ until his 62nd minute removal.
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Guimaraes is keen to point out that his unusually below-par had nothing to do with the reaction he received from the Curitiba locals, having represented their arch rivals Athletico Paranaense before moving to Europe with Lyon.
But, with Joao Gomes, Douglas Luiz, Gerson, Andreas Pereira and even Newcastle teammate Joelinton looking to secure a starting berth of their own, Guimaraes is fully aware that his performances in the famous yellow shirt must âimproveâ and fast.
Brazil struggle against Ecuador
âWe knew it would be a very physical game. They put a lot of pressure on us,â Guimaraes says, via Terra. âWe had a lot of difficulty.
âIn the second half, we dropped a bit, which canât happen. We have to stay focused on that. The three points were crucial, but we have to improve, we are aware of that.
âThe performance can be better, we know that. I have to improve, as does the whole team in general. We have to improve a lot, especially me.â
Guimaraesâ bout of self-flagellation could hardly be any further from the beaming reaction to Tonaliâs glorious Italy comeback.
âHis performance was magnificent,â Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti told RAI Sport after a flying start to their Nations League campaign, Tonali defying any fears over his lack of match sharpness as he went hell for leather from the first whistle to the last in Paris.
âWe were afraid he wouldnât have 90 minutes in his legs, but in the last five minutes he sprinted down the flank and went clear on goal by himself!â
âWe have rediscovered a fantastic player.â
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