One Newcastle United player has been selected in the Champions League Team of the Group stage after his heroic performances in Europe.
Newcastle failed to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, but Nick Pope heavily impressed during the group stages.
Pope stands alongside Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in CBS Sports’ team of the tournament so far after securing huge results for Newcastle against Milan and PSG in particular.
Pope has been immense in Europe
Pope has been a huge figure in Newcastle’s squad since signing from Burnley for £10m in 2022 and was a massive factor in the club qualifying for the Champions League in the first place.
The 31-year-old was then key in securing a point against AC Milan in the first game back in the tournament for Newcastle for two decades, making eight saves in the match at the San Siro.
Fast forward a couple of months and the shot-stopper was again putting in an incredible performance against PSG at the Parc des Princes which arguably should have secured Newcastle all three points if not for a controversial last-minute penalty.
Without Pope, Newcastle would likely have had nothing to play for coming into the final game against Milan last night, and if he had been available it may have been a different outcome.
Pope’s injury could derail Newcastle’s season
After picking up a shoulder injury against Man United, Pope now looks to be sidelined for a number of months with his shoulder requiring surgery.
In the three games that Pope has missed, Martin Dubravka has stepped in to replace him and has conceded eight goals in three games that all ended in defeat for the Geordies.
Newcastle will have to turn this form around if they have any hopes of qualifying for the Champions League again, but they’re going to have to do it without the services of Pope for the majority of the season.
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