newcastle united Midfielder Bruno Guimarães has revealed he has spent two months out due to his injury analyzing xG and how he can improve his goalscoring tally.
GE Globo has an interview with the Brazilian today. He admits that he believes he is in a blessed period for scoring goals and intends to score more in the future.
newcastle return
Bruno Guimaraes returned to action for Newcastle on Saturday after a two-month absence. The 28-year-old player was out of action since February due to a hamstring injury.
This resulted in him spending 63 days on the treatment table and missing 12 games during that time. It was a blow to Eddie Howe's team, who missed their captain dearly.
Guimaraes has again been a key player this season. But he has added another dimension to his game, goals. He has scored nine goals and five assists in 24 appearances in the Premier League this season. Morgan Gibbs-White is the only midfielder with more than 12.
This is his best goalscoring total in the Premier League so far, surpassing his previous best of seven in 2023/24. A better tally, according to the Newcastle midfielder, simply comes from taking more shots.
“The freedom I have to step into the box, attack and attack the ball inside the penalty area are things I have always loved to do, since my beginning at Athletico,” he said.
“Finally, I am more mature now, more experienced, and I know how to score runs more effectively. And, without a doubt, I am taking a lot more shots as well.
“I think the more shots you take, the better your chances of scoring goals – although I also think I'm in a "blessed moment" right now, I would say."
XG numbers analyzed
The recent injury break may have been a blow, but it provided the Newcastle midfielder with ample opportunity to analyze his game.
This saw the Brazilian take a deep dip in his XG numbers. And when he did he discovered something interesting.
"Man, during that time I was sidelined, I actually took a look at my "expected goals" (xG) stats, and my expected goals figure was sitting at four. [per season]“He said.
"I have nine goals; the ball is connecting, and it's going into the back of the net. So, you just have to keep shooting, no matter what.
"Even if there's an unmarked teammate available, take the shot, because right now, it's resulting in goals. The goals are flowing; I feel like I'm in a moment of divine inspiration."
special goal vs burnley
The standout goal of this season was undoubtedly the striker's header from a corner kick against Burnley.
That moment seemed to be of divine inspiration. But Bruno Guimaraes says it was actually part of a targeted plan by Newcastle.
“Of course, full credit for the execution of the kick goes to me,” he concluded.
“However, it was something we really worked on during the week; we noticed that Burnley were struggling quite a bit against direct balls into the box. So, I spent practically the whole week practicing hitting the ball towards goal, and it paid off beautifully.
"It was a brilliant strike, the most beautiful goal of my entire career. I've actually tried it a few more times since then, twice the ball hit the post, so who knows? Maybe there will be another one coming soon!"
