Big European nights under the lights of St. James Park are back. Credit: Getty Images/George Wood
It was only after Thursday's draw that Newcastle United fully realized what their return to the Champions League meant for the club, the fans and the city.
Only now it is has taken on proportions as coach Eddie Howe and his players were successful last season, securing a top-four finish ahead of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
The club will face each other in the group stage with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Milan. At first glance, this is the most difficult test they could imagine.
But it's also a mouth-watering prospect that will delight owners in Saudi Arabia, who must be thrilled at the prospect of advancing the club — and their own — brand in the biggest and most prestigious club competition on the planet, especially given that in the group stage they will meet PSG in Qatar.
But for fans who once enjoyed regular European adventures in the 90s and 00s, before former owner Mike Ashley imprisoned the club in chains of unambitious mediocrity, it's a magical moment.
From 2007 to 2021, Newcastle played in Europe only once, after Alan Pardew somehow led the team to a shocking and isolated top-five finish in 2012.
“Newcastle ” reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, narrowly losing to Benfica in two matches. It was the high point of Ashley's years in office: two relegations from the Premier League were a more fitting and accurate assessment of his bleak approach.
So Newcastle fans can be forgiven for reacting to Thursday's draw with a Hollywood reaction. a mixture of dizzying excitement and optimism. After a decade in the European wilderness, Newcastle are back where many fans and local pundits feared they would never return.
A moment some Newcastle fans might not have thought they would see again. Photo: AP Photo/Daniel Cole
Champions League nights, under the lights of St. James Park, will bring out the best of Geordie's tribalism in an explosion of noise and color. . UEFA, if not the clubs they will face, will be happy to have them back just for the spectacle.
Indeed, while some predictably call Group F the Death Group, others describe the prospect of facing three of the biggest names in European football as a sobering reality check for a club that hasn't played in European football's greatest arena for 20 years. The reaction to Tyneside was joyful, not ominous.
At first, Howe admitted to being a little overwhelmed by the quality of the teams they would face, but that quickly changed to a determination to try to ensure they not only compete, but finish higher. , at least one of his rivals.
«It took me a few seconds to think it over,» Howe said. “You look at it with pure excitement. None of us have an internal negative attitude towards the draw.
“We look at it positively, you can look at it romantically, but for me there is no romance here, because we are here to get the job done. We are here to represent the club in the best possible way, we are here to make the fans proud…
“It's challenging and challenging, but there are some great European games to visit and some great places. visit for our supporters. The travel distance isn't too bad either, so if you put it all together, it's great.
“For us, the mentality doesn't matter who we play against, there should be no fear and no doubt. Let's take on the challenges this will bring. These teams have been playing in Europe for many, many years and are doing well. So, we have no doubts about the scale of the task, but let's accept it. That's how we feel and that's how I encourage my players to think. We should see it this way.
“He showed what it means to be in the Champions League. There were many conversations, but so far it did not seem real. We have a goal, we can visualize it now…”
That goal will be to extend Newcastle's European adventure until Christmas, whether it's the Champions League or finishing third and going to Europe. .
«We have to believe we can win the group,» Howe continued. «I'm not quite sure if this is to be expected, but I think we can.»
Eddie Howe: 'We have to believe we can win the group' Photo: PA Wire/Owen Humphries
When asked what Newcastle will bring to the competition, Howe added: 'You can't talk about Newcastle without talking about the fans. They will bring their own uniqueness.
«The passion, support, dedication and energy they bring to the competition will be an incredible addition to the Champions League.»
«Wherever we go, we will be traveling in large numbers and with great support. It will be very interesting to see how Europe reacts to this.
“You think about the years before, how well Newcastle did in European competition and what energy it brought to the city, so hopefully we we can see the same thing again. and we can take on the competition and be proud of it.”
Newcastle haven't had an easy start to the season and have a tough Champions League draw, but for now all that matters is that they're back. competing at home and abroad. Europe better get ready. The Geordies are back.
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