Champions League draw: Newcastle United discover historic Champions League play-off round opponents

Newcastle United have discovered who their next Champions League opponents will be.

The draw for the Champions League play-off round took place in Switzerland with former Arsenal man Robert Pires conducting the draw. Newcastle United were the only English team involved in the draw. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City all finished in the top-eight of the league phase table on Wednesday night and thus automatic progression to the Round of 16.

Newcastle United, though, had to settle for a place in the play-offs following their 1-1 draw with PSG. Although Eddie Howe’s side performed admirably in the French capital, they didn’t leave with the win that would have seen them join the five other Premier League clubs in the last-16.

A 12th placed finish, behind PSG only on goals scored, means that Newcastle United and the reigning European champions have been paired together in today’s draw and both will discover their opponents today. The Magpies know they will face either Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag, who were thumped 6-0 by Liverpool at Anfield in midweek, or French side AS Monaco in the first knockout stages.

Eddie Howe previews Champions League draw

Howe was back in-front of the media on Friday morning, less than 36 hours after his side’s draw away at the Parc des Princes. Before previewing his side’s Premier League clash against Liverpool on Saturday night, Howe was asked for his thoughts on today’s Champions League draw and whether his side would prefer AS Monaco, rather than Qarabag, because it poses a less gruelling transport schedule.

The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.

“Possibly, it nicks it in a sense of the travel, I think. But whoever we get, I think it's going to be a great tie, a great moment for us.

“Really, really pleased with Wednesday, really pleased that we showed really good defensive qualities and a great display to come back and chase the game really effectively. So I think we go into that next draw with real positivity. So, yeah, excited with whoever we get, really.”

Champions League draw in full

For the first time in their history, Newcastle United will play a Champions League knockout game next month. That will come against Qarabag.

The winners of the play-off round know they will face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last-16. The draw for that round of games will be made on Friday 27 February, after the second-legs of the play-off matches have concluded.

The first-leg of Newcastle United’s play-off round match against Qarabag will be played on the week of February 17/18. The return leg, at St James’ Park, will take place a week later on February 24/25.

As mentioned, a win against would set up a clash with either Barcelona or Chelsea. Victory in the last-16 sets up a quarter-final clash against any of the following four teams: Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool.

Champions League play-off matches

AS Monaco v PSG

Galatsaray v Juventus

Benfica v Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund v Atalanta

Qarabag v Newcastle United

Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid

Bodo/Glimt v Inter Milan

Olympiacos v Bayer Leverkusen

Your next Newcastle United read: TNT Sports release footage of furious Dan Burn & Jason Tindall during PSG draw