Newcastle United have been given a very tough Champions League draw, much to the delight of Toon legend Alan Shearer.
The Magpies have been placed in Group F, where they will compete alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
It is very much a group of death for Eddie Howe’s side, and it will be extremely difficult for Newcastle to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
But it is great to be back in the Champions League and mixing it up with the big boys. This is a proper Champions League group and will be a real test for the Newcastle players.
They worked so hard to finish in the top four and qualify for Europe, and this is their reward. That is the view of Toon legend Alan Shearer, who has given his verdict on Newcastle’s Champions League draw.
Alan Shearer is chuffed with Newcastle’s Champions League draw
Shearer has put out a video on the official The Rest Is Football Twitter account and given his thoughts on who the Magpies are going to face in the Champions League.
“So this is what all the Geordies wanted,” he said.
“Newcastle in the Champions League, and wow it didn’t disappoint. What a draw Newcastle have got – PSG, Dortmund and AC Milan.
“I can just imagine five of six thousand fans going mad in Milan again, and in Dortmund and in Paris.
“Wow, what a draw. Geordies will be absolutely delighted. This what Newcastle wanted, it’s what we all wanted. It’s what they worked so hard for last season, to get back in amongst the big boys. And they’ve certainly done that.”
This is what Newcastle wanted
Shearer is chuffed, and he reckons every other Toon fan will be as well. I certainly am – I was desperate for us to be placed in Group F when it looked like it was a possibility!
There is every chance that we don’t get a single point, but there is also a chance for us to do something really special. We are going to witness the likes of Kylian Mbappe at St James’ Park, and we have the opportunity to beat him.
The best are coming, and that had to be expected when we qualified for the Champions League. That is why we want to be in the competition. It is historic and prestigious, and it is where the best of the best go head-to-head.
The Newcastle owners want the club to be a permanent fixture in the competition, and to do that we need to be able to hold our own against Europe’s top clubs. We will have the chance to do just that in the coming weeks and months.
And just imagine the scenes when the Toon Army descend upon Paris, Dortmund and Milan…
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