Bruno Guimaraes will return from suspension for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, but the midfielder initially thought he was going to miss out.
Bruno was sent off in the Carabao Cup semi final win over Southampton, which is why he has missed Newcastle’s previous three Premier League games.
The 25-year-old has been fortunate that his ban did not coincide with the final, as it means he will be available to start against Manchester United at Wembley.
That is a huge boost for Eddie Howe, who has said that Bruno has been ‘frustrated‘ in the buildup to the final.
Now Bruno has spoke ahead of the game on Sunday, and has admitted that he initially thought he was going to be suspended when he was given a red card for his tackle on Samuel Edozie.
Bruno Guimaraes ‘wanted to cry’ after Carabao Cup semi final red card
The Brazilian has spoke to NUFC TV ahead of the final, and was asked about how he felt immediately after being sent off against Southampton.
“I just wanted to cry,” Bruno said.
“I was very upset about my red card – the first one in my career. But when the guys told me in the changing room that I could play in the final was very good.
“It was an amazing feeling because I’m working here to play in the big games. I don’t like to be out. I always want to play for this shirt and play in a final, which is a very special moment. This final could be my first title in England, in Europe as well. So it’s a big opportunity for me as well.”
Bruno was then asked if he genuinely thought he was going to miss the final.
“Yeah,” he said.
“When the gaffer talked to me was the time I believed because Graeme [Jones] is always joking with me so when the gaffer said I could play I was very happy.”
Bruno back for the Carabao Cup final
Bruno’s first thought after his red card is probably the same as every fan’s. There was a real sense of panic that he was going to be unavailable for the final.
Luckily he has been able to serve his ban in the Premier League, and is going to be able to play at Wembley. While he has been a big miss over the past few weeks, having him available for the final is much more important.
He is Howe’s star player, and the man who makes us tick in the middle of the park. We are a much better team when he plays, and have more of a chance of winning the cup with him in the side.
But while FA rules have helped Bruno, they have hindered Nick Pope. He is suspended for the final after being sent off against Liverpool.
Some pundits have questioned why he should miss the final rather than serve his ban in the league, as that was the competition he received a red card in.
While there is some logic behind that, if those were the rules then Bruno would not be able to play in the Carabao Cup final. And he is a much more important player, despite Pope’s heroics in between the sticks.
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