France coach Eddie Howe admits Newcastle are in a precarious position in Group F of the Champions League, but sees this as motivation to earn points on PSG's field.
Starting the group stage with four points from the first two matches, including an impressive 4-1 home win over PSG, Howe's team lost their last two matches against Dortmund and are currently bottom of Group F. If they lose away to the French team in the fifth round today, Newcastle will be eliminated.
"We've been pushed to the wall. Every team is at their best when they're at this level. Newcastle need that energy, because this is a defining moment for the team in the Champions League. Newcastle know who they are and what they need to do. Our defensive structure and tenacity have been very good this season and Newcastle need to use every inch of that against PSG," Howe said.
Newcastle players practice at Parc des Princes on November 27. Photo: AFP
This season marks Newcastle's return to the Champions League after 20 years. This is a reward for Howe's team after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season. However, due to a tight schedule, the "Magpies" are in a crisis. The fact that midfielder Sandro Tonali was banned from playing for 10 months for betting makes things worse. Newcastle is missing 11 first-team players when they travel to France and this fact makes them skeptical about their chances of repeating the victory of the first leg.
"The fear of failure is what motivates me in my career. Failure never makes me comfortable, no matter what the occasion. Of course, the same goes for this next game. We don't believe there is a better way to motivate the team. Newcastle want to continue playing in the Champions League for as long as possible. That makes tomorrow's game important. We have a plan and we will find a way to execute it, ready for the game," Howe continued.
Newcastle flew into Paris on Monday night and had a training session at the Parc des Princes. Compared to their previous two away games against AC Milan and Dortmund, the English club travelled earlier. Howe said Newcastle had changed their routine in search of better results after two away games, a draw and a loss. "Some players may want to change this way. It's also an option to give us more time to rest when we get home. It's a small change but it could have a big impact on our schedule," Howe said.
If they beat PSG, Newcastle still need to play well in the final match against Milan. However, Howe said that he and his students need to focus on the match in Paris first.
One of Newcastle's top hopes in the match against PSG is midfielder Lewis Miley, born in 2006, who just shone to help Newcastle beat Chelsea 4-1 in the Premier League last weekend. The 17-year-old talent started and blocked the explosive Enzo Fernandez on Chelsea's side. Miley also had his first assist in the Premier League when he passed the ball to Alexander Isak to open the score. He joined the group of youngest players to assist a goal in the Premier League, along with Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney.
"We saw Miley's great growth in pre-season," Howe said of his player. "He has great physicality and technique. More importantly, Miley has a smart mind, which helped him play well against Chelsea."
Miley in Newcastle's 4-1 win over Chelsea at St James' Park on November 25. Photo: Reuters
With a height of 1.85 m, Miley is expected to become an important stopper in the midfield when coach Howe plans to block Kylian Mbappe and PSG's attacking stars.
Miley was born in Newcastle, just a 25-minute drive from St. James' Park. He joined the team at the age of seven and was given his debut by coach Howe in the final Premier League game of last season, a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. On November 11, Miley made his first start in the top flight against Bournemouth. He is also the youngest player in Newcastle's history to make his Champions League debut against Dortmund earlier this month.
"We have high expectations but we are also helping Miley a lot," added coach Howe about his student who plays for England U19. "We want to turn his potential into a powerful weapon on the pitch. He will be tested in big matches, there is no doubt about that."
Teammate Bruno Guimaraes was also impressed with what Miley showed. He said: "Miley is a big star, a monster. In comparison, I am too ordinary at the age of 17 like him."
Vy Anh
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