‘Forget everything’ - Newcastle United handed major warning by PSG boss ahead of Champions League showdown
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Newcastle United news: Luis Enrique has spoken about PSG’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United during the 2023/24 Champions League.
Luis Enrique has revealed he and his team will ‘forget everything’ that happened to them when they met Newcastle United at St James’ Park back in October 2023.
PSG’s first ever meeting with the Magpies came on Tyneside in a match that also marked Newcastle United’s first Champions League match at St James’ Park in almost two decades. A full throttle performance from the hosts completely bewildered their opponents who, despite boasting the talents of Kylian Mbappe and future Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele among others, left the north east of England battered, bruised and defeated opponents.
Eddie Howe’s side almost completed a remarkable double over the Parisians a month and a bit later, but were cruelly denied by a late Mbappe penalty after an inexplicable decision by referee Szymon Marciniak at the Parc des Princes. Ultimately, PSG would go on to reach the semi-finals of that season’s Champions League, falling to runners-up Borussia Dortmund in the final four.
Speaking ahead of their meeting in Paris this week, Enrique was asked about that meeting at St James’ Park over two years ago and whether that would have any bearing on Wednesday night’s game. “We forget everything about that defeat because it was two years ago and a lot of players have come and left,” Enrique responded.
“If I have to analyse because we are the same coaches and the last match against them was at home, and I remember that match. We drew that match. I think different situations.
“We are much better than that match. I think it is going to be difficult because they are a great side but at the same time we are confident and we need to perform at a high level to control everything.
“The key for me is to try to play the way we play normally, try to hurt them with our weapons. That’s the key for me.”
Newcastle United’s route to Champions League Round of 16
Newcastle United head to Paris knowing they have their Champions League Round of 16 destiny in their own hands. Victory over PSV Eindhoven last week booked their place in the knockout rounds as they ended the week sat 7th in the league phase table.
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Only goals scored separates themselves and Wednesday night’s hosts, but the Magpies know nothing short of a win will guarantee them a place in the Round of 16 stage. There is a scenario where a draw could be good enough for both teams to secure a top-eight finish, but that would require a remarkable set of results that neither team will want to rely on.
With all 18 games kicking off simultaneously across Europe, the Magpies will know just moments after full-time when their next Champions League outing will be. A top-eight finish guarantees a place in the last-16 of the competition.
However, anything else and a two-legged play-off fixture will then be added to their already gruelling schedule. It’s expected, though, that they will play the second-leg of that play-off game at St James’ Park - giving them a major advantage over whoever they are paired up against.