‘Defining moment’: Newcastle’s Howe braces for must-win match against PSG

Newcastle sit bottom of Champions League group
Youngster Miley expected to start as 12 senior players injured

Eddie Howe acknowledges that Newcastle faces a pivotal moment in their Champions League campaign and must embrace a fearless approach in their upcoming match against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Since their impressive 4-1 victory over PSG in October, circumstances have changed, particularly the injury crisis affecting 12 senior players. Two subsequent defeats to Borussia Dortmund have left Newcastle at the bottom of Group F, making a victory in Paris crucial to avoid elimination from the group stages.

Despite the challenges, Howe emphasizes the need for his players to operate on the edge, tapping into the heightened emotions that drive peak performance. A third-place finish in the group next month would secure entry to the knockout rounds of the Europa League. Howe recognizes the significance of the moment in their campaign and stresses the importance of delivering their best performance.

Reflecting on the previous victory over PSG, Howe highlights the error of fielding four forwards, leading to an overrun midfield and a lack of service to star players like Kylian Mbappé. PSG’s manager, Luis Enrique, is unlikely to repeat that mistake and considers Newcastle’s visit as a “cup final.” The group standings are finely balanced, with PSG only two points ahead of Newcastle and one ahead of Milan in third. Howe expresses his determination to avoid defeat, citing the fear of failure as a significant motivator in his career.

In preparation for the match, Howe departs from his usual training routine and opts to give the squad a feel for the Parc des Princes pitch. While 17-year-old Lewis Miley, outstanding in the recent match against Chelsea, is expected to start in central midfield, the injured Joe Willock will consult a specialist on Tuesday regarding an Achilles problem.