St. James’ Park hasn’t hosted a Champions League match in twenty years, but PSG’s manager, Luis Enrique, has that experience under his belt. Eddie Howe is known for his straightforwardness, so when he describes Paris Saint-Germain’s upcoming visit to Newcastle as “an extreme test,” he means it sincerely.
The return of a Champions League fixture to St. James’ Park after two decades has evoked a range of emotions in the city. Excitement, anxiety, pride, and nostalgia permeate the autumn atmosphere.
No one, particularly not Howe, can predict precisely how his team will fare against Kylian Mbappé and his teammates. Still, PSG’s manager, Luis Enrique, has a deep respect for Newcastle’s aggressive pressing style.
Enrique, the former Spain coach who completed the grueling 160-mile Marathon des Sables across the Sahara in 2008, typically approaches footballing challenges with poise. However, he acknowledges that this game promises to be a significant event at one of English football’s noisiest venues.
Although PSG has never played at St. James’ Park, their manager has experienced it. In September 1997, Luis Enrique played as a left-winger for Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona when Kenny Dalglish’s Newcastle secured a memorable 3-2 Champions League victory, largely thanks to Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick.
Despite late consolation goals from Enrique and Luís Figo, the visitors couldn’t mount a comeback. Warren Barton, who marked Enrique during the game, recalled, “It felt like we had 300,000 fans behind us.” PSG’s current manager reminisced about the challenging match on Tuesday, saying, “Twenty-six years ago feels like a lifetime. But I remember that I scored a goal, and there was a great atmosphere generated by Newcastle’s fans.
It wasn’t easy for us. It’s a hostile place to visit, and my players will experience that firsthand. It will be a difficult match against a team as aggressive, high-pressing, and intense as Newcastle. We’ve been devising strategies to counter that and impose our own style.”
Howe’s mission is not just to withstand PSG but to press them into submission. He asserted, “It’s undeniably going to be an extreme test, but one we’re eagerly anticipating. We’re eagerly looking forward to the challenge, and we’re not laying out the welcome mat for anyone. We’re resolute in our commitment to perform well, and one thing I’m absolutely sure of is that the atmosphere will be as charged as ever.”
For many fans with a sense of nostalgia, they’ll mentally transport themselves back two decades to the March evening when Sir Bobby Robson was in charge of Newcastle’s last home Champions League match. That game ended in a 2-0 loss to Barcelona during the competition’s old second group stage.
On that memorable night, Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert starred for Barcelona, and intriguingly, 16 months later, he became a Newcastle player. Part of his decision might have been influenced by the warm reception he received from Newcastle’s home fans.
However, it’s highly improbable that history will repeat itself in the coming seasons. This is primarily due to Kylian Mbappé’s current ambition to lead Real Madrid’s attack, his substantial salary demands, and his aversion to cold climates.
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From the moment Mbappé’s manager arrived at Newcastle airport with the team on Tuesday, the past became inescapable. Luis Enrique had spent a year playing under the legendary Sir Bobby Robson at Barcelona and openly expressed his admiration for the former manager. Enrique even made it a point to visit Robson’s statue outside St James’ Park during his visit.
Moreover, Enrique’s genuine and heartfelt respect for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a cancer research charity founded by Newcastle’s former manager before his passing, is palpable. It’s only been four years since Enrique and his wife tragically lost their nine-year-old daughter, Xana, to bone cancer.
Enrique took charge of Paris Saint-Germain a mere three months ago, amid a period of transformation and change. High-profile departures like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Marco Verratti, as well as the notable arrival of Ousmane Dembélé from Barcelona, characterized this transitional phase. Nevertheless, PSG has remained a formidable force throughout this period of transition. While Newcastle faces a daunting task in navigating their Champions League group, which includes Milan and Borussia Dortmund, PSG is the clear favorite to top the group.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, would have preferred to prepare for this fixture without the burden of key injuries, including those to Sven Botman, Harvey Barnes, and Joe Willock, and with Joelinton and Callum Wilson being uncertain due to injury.
However, these setbacks do not detract from the significance of this match, representing the most prominent example of Newcastle’s remarkable progress since their takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund two years ago.
As French accents reverberated through Newcastle’s Bigg Market and locals gathered outside PSG’s Quayside hotel in the hope of catching a glimpse of Mbappé, St James’ Park bustled with activity as workers prepared the stadium for its most glamorous night in two decades.
Enrique remarked, “There’s every reason to believe Newcastle can achieve great things; they are nearly a complete team. I hope it’s a fantastic game, but it’s going to be a memorable one. I can’t help but envy my own players.”
As the match is in progress, stay tuned for results on sports360degrees.com
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