Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer is anticipating a special night on Tyneside when the Magpies face AC Milan on Wednesday.
It is crunch time in the Champions League, with Newcastle having just one game to left to determine their European fate.
If Eddie Howe’s side win, they will remain in the competition – as long as PSG fail to beat Borussia Dortmund. If Newcastle draw, they will drop into the Europa League, and if they lose they are out of Europe completely.
This game against AC Milan is perfectly balanced, and it comes after Newcastle have lost two games in a row. They were poor in defeats to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, and need a response on Wednesday night.
And Alan Shearer believes that Newcastle definitely will respond, as Howe’s players prepare to experience another ‘electric’ atmosphere at St James’ Park in the Champions League.
Shearer thinks Newcastle can and will beat AC Milan
Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker asked Shearer if he can see Newcastle bouncing back on Wednesday against AC Milan after losing to Spurs.
“Yeah, I can [see Newcastle bouncing back],” he said.
“It’s a huge game. It’s totally different when you are at home and have the backing of the crowd.
“They had two players back yesterday in Longstaff and Wilson who came on for the last 25 minutes and looked decent so I’d imagine they will be involved and Milan have a few injuries as well.
“So I would be more than confident that Newcastle can bounce back because on Wednesday the atmosphere will be electric again.”
Shearer added that he expects Borussia Dortmund to ‘do a job’ on PSG, which would mean a win for Newcastle would see them advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
It could be a special night in the Champions League for Newcastle
It will be tremendous achievement if Newcastle are able to get out of this group. To even be in with a chance of qualification at this stage is an achievement in itself.
But the one big concern is that we are relying on Borussia Dortmund doing us a favour. We could absolutely batter Milan, but it will not matter if Dortmund lose to PSG.
However, all we can do is focus on our game. We have to win, and the high stakes should lead to an atmosphere similar to the one we witnessed back in October when we beat PSG.
That was a special night – one of the greatest in our history. However, it could be surpassed if we beat AC Milan on Wednesday and manage to finish second in the alleged group of death.
At this moment in time, Newcastle are still alive, and Shearer has confidence that home advantage can see the Magpies over the line.
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