Newcastle target PSG scalp in tonight’s Champions League
The French champions visit St James’ Park for a tantalising Champions’ League Group F tie on Wednesday evening, as Newcastle United play host to Paris Saint-Germain.
Eddie Howe’s men marked their return to the big time with a hard-fought goalless stalemate away to AC Milan on matchday one, while Les Parisiens saw off Borussia Dortmund 2-0.
Returning to the dogged defensive ways that played a major part in ending their 20-year exile from Europe’s elite tournament, Newcastle were not fased by the San Siro atmosphere during their duel with the Rossoneri, who huffed and puffed but were left to rue profligacy on matchday one.
Stand-in goalkeeper, Marco Sportiello, had to be alert to prevent Howe’s men from nicking all three points right at the death, and since travelling back home from Milan with a well-earned point one which has them second in the Group F rankings Newcastle have continued to prove unbreakable at the back.
Entering today’s game in tip-top condition on the back of a three-game winning streak, Howe’s in-form troops ended September in magnificent fashion with nine goals across 180 minutes of football eight in a record-breaking obliteration of Sheffield United, and one to dump Manchester City out of the EFL Cup in the third round.
A Miguel Almiron stunner and Alexander Isak penalty also saw Howe’s men comfortably sweep aside Burnley 2-0 at the weekend, stretching their run of clean sheets to five successive matches in all tournaments since their 3-1 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion, which has been firmly banished to history.
Since the start of 2022, Newcastle have been subjected to a mere five competitive defeats on home turf three of which were against Liverpool and Wednesday’s game will see Champions League football return to St James’ Park for the first time since August 2003, where Sir Bobby Robson’s Magpies were eliminated from qualifying against Partizan on penalties.
After esteemed coaches such as Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Christophe Galtier failed to lift PSG’s continental curse, Les Parisiens have turned to Barcelona treble-winner, Luis Enrique, in a bid to finally achieve European stardom, but his side no longer strike the same level of fear into the hearts of opposing teams.
Following a statement 4-0 win over Classique rivals, Marseille, in front of a star-studded crowd, Thierry Henry and Selena Gomez were among those in attendance during that Parc des Princes pummelling PSG dropped points for the fourth time in seven Ligue 1 games this term, being held to a 0-0 draw by Clermont at the weekend.
Already playing catch-up in the title race as they languish in fifth place in the standings, PSG can at least go toe-to-toe with Newcastle on the defensive resilience front keeping clean sheets in three successive matches and they have gone unbeaten in nine consecutive away games since their fatal 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich seven months ago.
That Allianz Arena beating marked an unlucky 13th Champions League away game without a clean sheet for Les Parisiens, who last shut out Istanbul Basaksehir away from home in October 2020, while a meagre two wins from nine European away matches offers the Magpies faithful plenty of hope ahead of their side’s inaugural competitive showdown with the Parisien powerhouses.
Meanwhile, PSG’s star man, Mbappe, completed the full 90 against Clermont after shaking off an ankle scare, but up-and-coming left-back Nuno Mendes has undergone surgery on a hamstring problem and will not play again until 2024.
Following a lackadaisical display at the weekend, Enrique should no doubt recall the likes of Manuel Ugarte and teenage sensation, Warren Zaire-Emery, to the engine room, while Bradley Barcola will almost certainly cede his place to the returning Lucas Hernandez.-SportsMole
Today’s Fixtures
Antwerp vs Shakhtar
Atletico vs Feyenoord
Celtic vs Lazio
Dortmund vs AC Milan
Newcastle vs PSG
Porto vs Barcelona
RB Leipzig vs Man City
Red Star vs Young Boys
