Newcastle United are preparing for one of the biggest tests of their European campaign as they travel to face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Stormy weather disrupted their pre-match plans, but coach Eddie Howe insists that his squad is ready to rise to the occasion.
“This is the ultimate test for us in Europe,” Howe said from Paris on Tuesday.
“PSG is a team we really admire — they play a unique style, with athletic and technically gifted players in every position, and their tactical approach is fascinating.
We know this will be our hardest game yet, so we have to be at our absolute best.”
High Stakes in the Champions League
The showdown at the Parc des Princes carries major implications for both sides.
Newcastle and PSG sit sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 36-team Champions League standings, tied on 13 points.
A win guarantees a top-eight finish, securing a direct spot in the last 16.
A draw, however, could jeopardize both teams, as the nine sides below them in the table are all within two points.
Those who fail to finish in the top eight face an additional two-legged play-off round — a path PSG successfully navigated last season before storming to the title while defeating several English teams along the way.
Memories of Past Encounters
Howe is drawing confidence from Newcastle’s previous meetings with PSG.
In the 2023/24 group stage, the Magpies claimed a memorable 4-1 home victory and held PSG to a 1-1 draw in France despite conceding a late penalty.
“That night really tested us and showed how much we’ve developed as a team,” Howe reflected.
“Those experiences have prepared us for challenges like this. We’re approaching this match with more confidence and a clear goal to progress to the knockout stage.”
Travel Disruptions and Squad Updates
The Newcastle squad’s journey to Paris was delayed due to high winds, holding up Howe’s media duties by an hour.
“The wait on the tarmac was frustrating, but thankfully we made it here safely,” Howe said.
The team will be without Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, who is set to miss several weeks with a minor injury.
Fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes is a doubt, with Howe noting that a final decision will be made closer to kickoff.
“Joelinton definitely won’t play. The scan suggests it’s not a serious injury, but he’ll miss a few games with so many fixtures coming up,” Howe explained.
“Bruno is with us, and we’ll know more soon.”
Newcastle’s Road Ahead
Newcastle come into this critical fixture having won just two of their last ten away matches in all competitions.
With so much at stake, Howe believes the team must rise to the occasion and prove they can compete with Europe’s elite.
“We’re on our way to achieving our goal,” he said.
“We know the challenge is tough, but this is what football is all about — testing ourselves against the best.”
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