EDDIE HOWE warned Newcastle’s defence not to underestimate golden oldie Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Toon manager’s biggest decision for tonight’s Champions League clash at Marseille is whether to risk Lewis Hall or recall Dan Burn to marshall Mason Greenwood.
However, after studying the tapes on the opposition, he claims the veteran former Arsenal and Barcelona striker is aging like a fine wine on the French Riviera.
Aubameyang is showing the form that earned him a £56m move to the Emirates in 2018, firing six goals in15 games since returning to Marseille on a free transfer in July following a stint in Saudi.
Howe admitted: “We’ve said the same thing having watched Marseille a lot in the build-up to the game, that he is as good as ever. That’s a big compliment to him at 36.
“He’s very athletic, still running in behind, still stretching back lines, still getting away from defenders when he’s in those 1v1 situations and a lethal finisher as well. His goal record here has been very good.
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“He’s another player we have to control well and another player that gets our full respect.”
Aubameyang is benefitting greatly from the service provided by Greenwood. The ex-Manchester United winger is the talisman of Roberto De Zerbi’s side and will take some stopping.
With experienced Kieran Trippier out with a hamstring issue, Howe must decide whether to risk playing full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall again so quickly after the pair both came through their respective returns from injury in the win over Manchester City, or recall Dan Burn after his one-match domestic ban.
He said: “That’s the decision that I have to make really after consulting the medical and sports science team and come up with the right decisions regarding both of those players.
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“They’re so important for us as you saw on Saturday that their longer-term fitness is crucial for us.
“It’s a decision for me to make to try and pick the best team to try and win this game, but also protect them.”
On Greenwood, he added: “He’s a man in form. So part of our plan will be trying to stop their attacking players and he’s certainly one of the very best they’ve got.
“He does his most dangerous work when he drifts infield. He’s got a really good relationship with players around him and he’s got a lovely left foot.
“We’re going to have to defend well on that side of the pitch as that’s a big area for Marseille to attack.”
Meanwhile, one player up for the challenge of silencing the raucous Orange Velodrome and shutting out the threat of Aubameyang and Greenwood is defender Malick Thiaw.
The giant German’s form since his £35m from AC Milan has earned him an international recall and he did not give Erling Haaland a sniff on Saturday.
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He said: “In general I’m a really confident player, but of course if you play against one of the best, maybe the best striker right now in football, it can give you a little bit extra.
“I was really happy with the performance of the team overall and that I did my job well. I just try to take the confidence from that into tomorrow.”
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