The Champions League resumes its rights. After Dortmund, PSG goes to Newcastle this Wednesday (9 p.m.), during the second day. A match which will obviously be followed live with commentary on our site. It will be broadcast on Canal. Note that in the same group, F, Dortmund will host AC Milan (Wednesday at 9 p.m.).
Zero, nada, the bubble. This will be a great first. Although they have faced many English clubs in their history, namely Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, the Rouge et Bleu have never crossed paths with Newcastle. It must be said that the Magpies have only played in Europe once in the last 16 seasons. And again, it was in the Europa League, during the 2012-13 campaign (see elsewhere). Newcastle have previously crossed paths with Bordeaux, Metz, Sochaux, OM, Bastia and Troyes.
PSG quietly dominated Dortmund (2-0) at the Parc des Princes during the first day of the group stage. Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi for the Parisian scorers, Gigio Donnarumma having been little worried by a weak Borussia. Full box for Luis Enrique’s players, before confirming against OM (4-0) and… suffering a breakdown in Clermont (0-0). Those of Eddie Howe came back with a good point from their trip to Milan (0-0). A match dominated head and shoulders by the Italians, struck by ineffectiveness at San Siro. If Donnarumma was bored, Nick Pope stepped up his parades. Newcastle could even have won and achieved the hold-up with this big opportunity from Sean Longstaff at the very end of the match. Replacing the injured Mike Maignan, Marco Sportiello avoided the worst. In the Group F ranking, PSG (3 pts) is therefore in the lead ahead of Newcastle, Milan (1 pt) and Dortmund (0 pts).
Note that the English are undefeated for five matches in all competitions. After three defeats in a row (City, Liverpool, Brighton), they won four in national games, including a card at poorly ranked Sheffield United (0-8) and a qualification for the English League Cup against the Manchester City B team (1-0). Last weekend, they quietly dominated a poorly ranked Burnley (2-0).
It goes back… The English club has only participated in the Champions League three times, the last dating from the 2003-04 season, with an exit in the group stage and a good run until the semi-finals of C3 as a consolation prize. Needless to say, the atmosphere should be lively at St-James’ Park this Wednesday…
Failing to have crossed paths on the European scene, the two clubs have seen several players move from one to the other or simply wear both jerseys. Starting with David Ginola, first in line. “El Magnifico” enjoyed the glory days of PSG (1992-95) before spending two seasons in the north of England (1995-97). A big name, a notable player and great memories on both sides.
Ten other players played in Paris and Newcastle during their careers, Didier Domi, Alain Goma, Sylvain Distin, Habib Beye, Laurent Robert, David Rozenhal, Fabrice Pancrate, Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Gini Wijnaldum. Note that former Dutch star Patrick Kluivert played at Newcastle in the early 2000s before briefly occupying the position of Director of Football at PSG (2016-17). Many other French people have also played for the Toons, from Florian Thauvin to Stéphane Guivarc’h, including Allan Saint-Maximin, Mathieu Debuchy, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Franck Dumas, Charles N’Zogbia, Moussa Sissoko, Antoine Sibierski , Louis Saha or Rémy Cabella. Non-exhaustive list.
On the PSG side, the English staff will certainly target Kylian Mbappé, Manuel Ugarte and Achraf Hakimi, the strong links since the start of the season. What about Newcastle? Eddie Howe has a rich squad, where the threat can come from anywhere. Contrary to what we might have thought when we saw the club come under the Saudi flag, there is no big name or huge star. Rather a well-oiled collective. Well thought out and coherent. The Parisian rearguard will have to pay particular attention to 24-year-old Swedish striker Alexander Isak, author of five goals in 2023-24. The Magpies, however, will be without Callum Wilson, their top scorer last season. In the middle, they can rely on Brazilian international Bruno Guimaraes, well known in France for having played for OL. Behind, Newcastle will have to do without ex-Lille player Sven Botman. Finally, the Milanese can attest to the qualities of goalkeeper Nick Pope. Sandro Tonali (who has difficulty adapting), Anthony Gordon or even Miguel Almiron, it’s solid.