Classy Bruno lifting expectations on and off the field at Newcastle
Brazilian shows skill and personality in 1860 Munich clash - now club need to match his ambitions
By Craig Hope in Saalfelden, Austria
JULY 16, 2022
WHEN Newcastle United signed Bruno Guimaraes in January, it accelerated the journey they are on, changing mindsets inside and outside of the club.
That a Brazil international would choose to join a team in the bottom three of the Premier League sent a message to other would-be targets. Whatever vision the owners had sold him, Bruno was buying it. Senior sources admit it was a transformative step in how their on-the-field project was perceived within the game.
Sven Botman, for example, had played against Bruno in France and is said to have taken note of his willingness to join the Magpies. The Dutch defender last month turned down a move to Italian champions AC Milan in favour of St James’ Park.
Three and easy: Bruno scores Newcastle's third against 1860 Munich
But for all that Bruno symbolises with regards the redirection of Newcastle, there was a reminder here in Austria on Friday that he really can play.
In just 30 minutes following his introduction on the hour, the midfielder turned what had been an arduous friendly against 1860 Munich into a personal showreel of joyful elegance. Given he has spent much of the past few weeks on his knees – he proposed to his girlfriend on holiday in Greece and has subsequently been floored by Eddie Howe’s running drills – it was a mightily impressive cameo.
He had already created one goal for Sean Longstaff when he then nutmegged his minder and swapped passes with Chris Wood before completing a 3-0 win with a tidy finish from eight yards. There were other moments of class, too – a scooped pass between two opponents, another around a corner to spring an attack and a succession of forward balls designed to get a previously laboured team motoring.
On target: Bruno Guimaraes celebrates with Joelinton
The challenge for Howe – and the owners who promised the Brazilian much in January – is to build a side around Bruno capable of going with him. For while his addition has quickened the growth of the team and club, it has also heightened the need for European football. At 24, Bruno will not tolerate too many years watching the Champions League instead of playing in it.
He emerged after the game on Friday to hold court with reporters at the foot of the Leogang Mountains in Saalfelden. That he felt confident to do so just a few months into English lessons is as impressive as scaling one of the peaks which broke the clouds behind us. His ambitions are just as lofty.
‘We know there is difficulty but we want to arrive [in the Premier League] as high as possible, and I think we can do it,’ he said. ‘We can surprise the others [top six teams]. We have quality and the coach is so intelligent, so we can do it. But this is only the beginning. We need to improve more.
Fan favourite: Bruno speaks to supporters at Saalfelden Arena
‘We dream of the Champions League but it’s step by step. We don’t need to put pressure on ourselves. We know the “big six’” have good teams too. The Premier League is the most difficult championship in the world so we need to be calm, and step by step we can arrive there.’
Bruno talks of removing pressure but every time he plays, he unwittingly increases such expectation. His presence has set a pace that Newcastle and their owners must now maintain
