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2 months ago
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You can always rely on Bruno Guimaraes.
What a player. What a great character.
Bruno Guimaraes proving it yet again, always quick to show his support and affection for his teammates.
No wonder Eddie Howe made him captain.
Sandro Tonali making that stunning return to international action with Italy against France, the former AC Milan player declaring afterwards via Instagram. ‘It is always special to wear these colours, even more with this group, let’s go on like this.’
Bruno Guimaraes quick to reply with ‘Te voglio bene frate’, which translates into ‘I love you brother.’
The return of Sandro Tonali to action with both Newcastle United and Italy could well turn out to be one of the stories of this season, if what we have seen this past week and a half is anything to go by.
Tonali excellent when on the pitch for Newcastle against both Forest and Spurs, then as he moves towards full match fitness, going onto another level against France in Paris on Friday.
Some Newcastle United fans talk of how Sandro Tonali should have stayed at home after his 10 months absence to prepare for Wolves away next Sunday.
Something I find bizarre, as I reckon both physically and mentally, nothing could have prepared Sandro Tonali better for Newcastle’s next match, than a match like that one in Paris.
Monday sees Italy take on Israel in Budapest, with reports in Italian media suggesting that the Head Coach will use his squad and the likes of Tonali and others starting on the bench, after their exertions against France.
Whether he plays or not, I think this trip away with Italy will have done Sandro Tonali the power of good, plus even if he plays tomorrow, it is then six days until that next Newcastle United match.
Sandro Tonali has previously made clear just what a massive help Bruno Guimaraes has been to him since arriving at Newcastle United, before the ban due to gambling, during the suspension as well.
Ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on his return to action, Sandro Tonali telling the official Newcastle United site:
“I’m happy [to be playing against Nottingham Forest] because it is the first time after 10 or 11 months.
“I feel good, as I know the team and the fans have always been with me.
“I have never been alone and it is so important because I was in difficulty in the first three months and now I feel it is a new time after ten months.
“This is another point of my life, not only for me, but also for my family and friends.
“I have a great team behind me, this is so important, it is the first thing in my life.
“Ten months is a long time.
“It was hard but I trained every day, even more than when I was playing.
“I was lucky enough to find all the people who work here at Newcastle United, were always by my side and close to me.
“This really helped me a lot, from the first day in October to today.
“I had constant support from everyone: the coach, JT (Jason Tindall) and everyone else on the team.
“Also the chefs, cleaning guys, secretaries, all of them.
“There wasn’t a single person who didn’t show me their support, the same with the fans.
“They gave me the same love they would have given me if I had been here for ten years… and I’d only just arrived a few months previously.
“This really made me think a lot.
“It also made me realise what the Newcastle United fans are made of.
“In October and November, the first months, difficult months. I couldn’t play.
“In the first game against Wolves, I was there with the team, Bruno and Joelinton were the first people helping me all night before the game.
“Before the game it was difficult to stay with me because of this problem.
“Bruno and Joe are top players and top people for me.
“I like the Brazilian guys, not just because they helped me, but because they help the team too. I like this.
“It is so important for me to come back to play.
“I am feeling good. Mentally and physically.
“I like to play at the training ground too, also friendly games, because I need some minutes to be then able to play 90 minutes in the league.
“I learned English at the training ground.
“First, one month with the teacher, then at the training ground, with the players, especially Bruno and my physio.
“Bruno speaks Spanish and understands Spanish. He speaks English or Spanish with me. He was my translator for the first two or three months.
“I’m excited because I think I am a new player, like a new transfer.
“I played [only] eight games last season.
“It was so difficult for me to play eight games and then don’t play for ten months.
“I am excited to be here in Newcastle and not another place because there is a top team and top fans and I can’t wait to go back on the pitch.”

 
