Matthias Jaissle has admitted that facing £100million former Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali will provide his side with "extra motivation" when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.
Tonali, the Italy international, will face his old club for the first time since his summer move to Spurs. Jaissle believes his team benefited from a similar dynamic in their opening game, when hostility was directed at £125m Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.
Tonali's exit and a mixed reception
Tonali's departure from Tyneside was met with a mixed reception, partly because the transfer paved the way for Nico Gonzalez to arrive, and Gonzalez is poised to face Tonali this weekend.
Speaking at his press conference, Jaissle said: "I was aware he was a player here, a really important player here who left the club."
Special motivation for the squad
"Tottenham did not only sign him, as a huge signing, so we are facing a huge challenge on Saturday. It is always nice to face old team-mates, so there should at least be special motivation. That worked against Isak already so hopefully it will work for us on Saturday."
Jaissle stopped short of calling for a barrage of boos against Tonali, insisting that support for the current squad is the best route to success.
Focus on support, not hostility
Asked if he would encourage a hot reception for Tonali, Jaissle added: "I would love we have many, many supporters behind us in London. That's the most important thing, focusing on our lads and bringing that energy on the pitch."
"Or at least the players transfer that on to the pitch. That's the most important thing, that was the reason why we played a fantastic game against Liverpool and also in the cup against West Brom."
