Newcastle United supporters often remember their Champions League struggles of yesteryear, with one man and one game that stood out above all others.
After 20 years of absence from the biggest tables of European football, the Magpies make their long-awaited return against AC Milan at San Siro on Tuesday evening.
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A new generation of supporters will see their team take part in the competition for the first time and for others, memories of Newcastle’s exploits in the 1990s and early 2000s will return.
Slightly older fans will have told the story of a special night in 1997, when Barcelona came to town, only to be sent away by a Colombian wizard.
Barca boasted world-class talents such as Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Luis Enrique, but were beaten in a thrilling 3-2 defeat.
That night, Newcastle were in shock. Alan Shearer ruptured ankle ligaments in pre-season and Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Peter Beardsley were sold weeks earlier. But fear not, Faustino Asprilla was ready to take on Europe’s elite.
Well, the Colombian certainly thought so, but his preparation for the match was unconventional, so much so that he almost didn’t play the match.
“I had gone on an international mission, but instead of going back to Newcastle, I went to my ranch and had a party with a lot of girls,” Asprilla told FourFourTwo magazine in 2017.[Manager] Kenny Dalglish was furious,” he added.
But Asprilla found himself in the starting line-up against the Catalan giants and alongside Keith Gillespie, the pair ran Barcelona ragged at a raucous St James’ Park.
“He was one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen,” he told UEFA of Gillespie whose accuracy earned him two of his goals on the night.
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“He wouldn’t narrow his eyes or look up, he would get to the signature and cross it out.
“I’ll never forget the Newcastle fans chanting my name. I didn’t understand them as they were in Geordie, but I could still tell they were really happy!
Asprilla, who also scored from the penalty spot that night, signed for the Parma Magpies in 1996 for £6.7 million.
Newcastle legend Shay Given was quick to praise Gillespie’s role in this match as well as that of the Colombian.
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook exclusively said: “Tino Asprilla made headlines because he scored a hat-trick, but Keith Gillespie was like a man possessed and probably had his best game ever in a black jersey and white. The complete Barcelona- the back could not approach it.
He continued: “The first goal was a penalty, then Tino scored two almost identical headers, one in each half, with Keith flying down the right wing and placing perfect crosses for Tino, who seemed to have more time to hang in the air. before bringing the ball home. They were both brilliant with their heads.
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“Tino was a crazy character and a bit extravagant. Maybe the best way to describe him is different. His English wasn’t great but every time he saw me he would say, ‘Hey Given, Bastardo!’ I replied, “Your English is improving,” but then I saw his big teeth start to laugh at me.
“He was so laid back, even with some of his performances and it might look like he wasn’t bothered, but he just played with a relaxed vibe. As he proved that night, when he sings, he’s a top player and that’s why he was brought to the club.
He scored 18 goals in 63 games for the club before returning to the Serie A club two years later.
But the eccentric striker wasn’t just scoring on the pitch during his time in England, which helped him stay out of the north-east cold.
“The women were divine… haha! I had… well, I don’t know how many girlfriends I had in Newcastle,” the Colombian recalls cheekily.
Asprilla remains a cult hero on Tyneside although his stay was short and eventful but fans will never forget the evening of September 17, 1997 when, against all odds, ‘Tino’ single-handedly brought down a European giant.
Given was speaking exclusively for the new book ‘Newcastle United Match of My Life’ which is available to pre-order here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Newcastle-United-Match-My-Life/dp/1801506418
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