Newcastle United’s midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is currently in a precarious position regarding disciplinary actions in the Champions League. Having recently returned from a one-match suspension, he is now on the verge of facing another.
In the intense 1-0 victory against Arsenal, Guimaraes received his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season, causing him to miss the subsequent match against AFC Bournemouth. His absence was palpably felt as Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat, underscoring his importance to the team. Upon his return in the match against Chelsea, which resulted in a 4-1 win, Guimaraes demonstrated his significant impact.
Manager Eddie Howe emphasized the 26-year-old’s pivotal role, stating, “He’s an outstanding player. You’re always going to miss a player of his technical ability and enthusiasm, and I think he’s a real catalyst for us with the supporters as well. You take that player away, and I think there is a big hole. Him coming back into the squad is a massive lift; we’ve certainly missed him.”
As Guimaraes gears up for tonight’s crucial Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, he is aware that avoiding a caution is imperative to participate in the final Group F clash against AC Milan on December 13 at St James’ Park. Accumulating three bookings before the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals results in a one-match ban, and Guimaraes has previously received cautions against PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
The outcome of the match at the Parc des Princes will determine the significance of the AC Milan game. A victory would empower Newcastle with control over their fate, while a draw would mean reliance on results from other matches. Losing would extinguish their hopes of advancing to the last 16 in the tournament.