Newcastle United have the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
After getting a point away at AC Milan, Newcastle are finally in Champions League action at St James’ Park.
It will be the Magpies’ first home game in the competition for 20 years, as they welcome the megastars of Paris to Tyneside.
Kylian Mbappe and co are out to win the entire thing, but first they must deal with a trip to St James’ Park.
There is so much excitement surrounding this game. We saw a drone show on Monday night, while Wor Flags have a really special display planned for before kickoff.
The hope is that the atmosphere will give Newcastle an edge over PSG, and World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf does not think Luis Enrique’s side will rise to the occasion. Instead, he thinks they will fold under the pressure.
Frank Leboeuf thinks Newcastle will beat PSG
Leboeuf has spoke to ESPN UK’s YouTube channel, and predicted that Newcastle will beat PSG 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The 55-year-old has explained why, and it is largely because of PSG’s deficiencies rather than Newcastle’s talent.
“According to what I saw this weekend against Claremont Foot and the draw that they had and the beginning to their season, I don’t see…sometimes the unity of the team is better but I don’t see any enthusiasm with that team,” he said.
“And you’re going to play at St James’ Park. The pressure, the atmosphere you’re going to find for the first game of the Champions League for Newcastle is going to be hell for Paris Saint-Germain.
“I don’t see leaders everywhere on the field to cope with that situation. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe they’re going to be grownups and deal with that.
“But according to what I see, there are no other choices to put into prediction a loss for Paris Saint-Germain.
“Individually, they are better than Newcastle. But we all know that there are going to be 12 men on the field and I’m not sure the Paris Saint-Germain players can deal with that.”
Hopefully Leboeuf is right about PSG
Leboeuf is pretty scathing towards PSG, and expects them to crumble at St James’ Park.
That is exactly what Toon fans want to see. Supporters need to create an atmosphere that is intimidating and unsettling. It needs to give those in black and white an extra 10%, and it needs to force the opposition to retreat and fold in on themselves.
While PSG have more talented players, that might count against them at St James’ Park. As Leboeuf says, Newcastle will have 12 men – and he is not implying that the referee will be on the Magpies’ side.
A 3-2 thriller would be incredible to witness, and a magical return for Champions League football on Tyneside.
Fingers crossed Leboeuf’s PSG concerns come true and Newcastle pick up all three points.
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