Newcastle manager Eddie Howe calls PSG clash the ‘ultimate test’ as both teams battle for a top-eight spot and direct Champions League last-16 qualification.
NEWCASTLE United manager Eddie Howe has labelled his side’s decisive Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain as the “ultimate test”.
Howe’s comments came after his team’s pre-match travel to France was disrupted by stormy weather, delaying their arrival.
“They are a team we really admire, especially the style — they are quite unique in the way they play, athletic players in every position, technically very good, tactically very interesting,” Howe told reporters.
“It is the ultimate test for me in Europe. This will be I think the hardest game we could have played, so we have to rise to the occasion and be at our very best.”
Both teams enter the match at the Parc des Princes level on 13 points in the standings.
A victory for either side guarantees a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the last 16.
A draw, however, could see both teams drop out of the top eight and into a two-legged play-off round next month, depending on other results.
PSG navigated that play-off route last season before going on to win the title.
Newcastle have mixed memories of recent trips to France, having lost in Marseille in November.
They drew 1-1 at PSG in the 2023/24 group stage after conceding a late penalty, having beaten the French giants 4-1 at home earlier that campaign.
“That was a really great night for us because it was a great test of our development. I think the experiences we had two years ago definitely helped us for this time around,” said Howe.
Newcastle’s travel was delayed due to high winds preventing their plane from taking off on time.
“The journey over was fine, it was just the wait before. We were on the tarmac but the winds were too high for us to take off,” Howe explained.
The Magpies have won only two of their last ten away matches in all competitions.
They will be without injured Brazilian midfielder Joelinton for the match, while compatriot Bruno Guimaraes remains a doubt.
“Joe definitely won’t make the game. He has had a scan and we don’t think it’s a bad injury but he will possibly be out for a few weeks,” Howe confirmed.
