Ahead of Newcastle United’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, Paul Scholes has compared the Magpies to Championship side Leeds United – but it is not as bad as it seems.
The former Manchester United midfielder has been speaking to TNT Sports ahead of Wednesday’s game at St James’ Park, where the Magpies will look to remain top of their Champions League group.
Eddie Howe’s moved to the summit last time out when they beat Paris Saint-Germain 4-1, on what was a special night inside St James’ Park.
The atmosphere was absolutely insane, and it clearly boosted the Toon players and hindered the PSG team. They crumbled under the pressure, proving just how important Newcastle’s home form will be.
And that is why Scholes has compared us to Leeds United. They famously reached the semi finals of the Champions League in 2001, when their form at Elland Road nearly dragged them all the way to the final.
Matching that accomplishment would be incredible for Newcastle, and Scholes is expecting another special night on Tyneside on Wednesday.
Paul Scholes thinks Newcastle can shine in the Champions League at St James’ Park
Ahead of the game against Borussia Dortmund, Scholes spoke to TNT Sports about Newcastle’s strong start in the Champions League.
“It’s impressive but it’s no surprise,” he said.
“These new teams that come into it, they have a different hunger towards it. They’re a little bit unknown to a lot of teams.
“The atmosphere and players at Newcastle will be something that is unknown to the PSG players, it will be unknown to Borussia Dortmund. We in England know all about it and how special that atmosphere can be.
“I think it’ll be quite similar to what Leeds did a good few years ago, when they came into the Champions League and were brilliant at home and a bit of a surprise to teams – I think Newcastle could do something similar.
“Their home ground was a special atmosphere as well and I think there are some similarities between them and Newcastle.”
Home form is key for Newcastle
Going into the competition, it was no secret that our home form would be pivotal if we were to succeed in the Champions League.
If you can win your home games and avoid defeat on the road, you are usually on to a winner in Europe, and that is exactly what Newcastle are doing so far.
Whether or not we can replicate what that famous Leeds team did more than 20 years ago remains to be seen. No matter how good we are at home, it seems unfathomable that we could make it all the way to the semis.
For now, Newcastle will just focus on getting out of the group, and a victory against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will be another huge step towards that goal.
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