So then, Newcastle United are back in the big time.
Tuesday saw Newcastle earn their first Champions League point in over twenty years with a goalless draw away at AC Milan.
It was not a particularly vintage night for Eddie Howe’s men, who had to rely on Nick Pope to make a number of saves during the game.
Still, it is a positive start for the club on a night that could have gone much worse.
Indeed, former Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas is looking at the positives.
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Jermaine Jenas describes the mood inside Newcastle’s dressing room
The TNT Sports pundit certainly knows a thing or two about representing Newcastle in this most celebrated of competitions and described the likely mood inside the dressing room.
He believes Howe’s squad will know that even when they’re not at their best, they can come to Milan and get a result.
“I think sometimes when you’re coming into these kind of campaigns as like a new team who’ve not been in and amongst the Champions League for a period of time, a game like this can be a real settler for you,” he told TNT Sports.
“Those Newcastle players will go into that dressing room and they’ll all know they’ve not played anywhere near as good as they can play and still got a result at the San Siro.”
A positive start if a little lucky
Even the most ardent Newcastle supporter would surely admit Howe’s side were somewhat lucky. Though by no means played off the park, Rafael Leao really should have given his team the lead in the first-half after a sensational run.
However, getting a point on the road can hardly be considered a bad thing. These were the semi-finalists last season, after all.
Jenas is right. There is more to come from Newcastle and if they can avoid defeat on the road against a team with that kind of pedigree then it bodes well.