UCL: PSG and Newcastle meet in top-8 shootout

Level on points, level on goal difference, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United meet at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night with a place in the top eight in the Champions League up for grabs.

An identical record

Four wins, one draw, two losses, and a goal difference of +10. That is how PSG and Newcastle come into this UCL 'League Phase' finale, a shootout of sorts. Les Parisiens' defeat to Sporting CP (1-2) last week, coupled with the Tyneside club's 3-0 win over a high-flying PSV side have added extra intrigue to this fixture.

And there was already plenty of that following the last meeting between this pair. They met in the Champions League during the 2023/24 season, right towards the start of Luis Enrique's stint at the Parc des Princes. Back then, this was a work-in-progress. It was Newcastle United who had the edge over the course of the two games, which came during the old format of the competition, where you would face teams both home and away in the 'Group Stage'.

Lucas Hernández got the only goal for PSG as they were beaten at St James' Park before the reigning European champions snatched a point from the brink of defeat thanks to a 98th-minute Kylian Mbappé penalty in the return leg at the Parc des Princes (1-1).

D-2 for #PSGNEW! ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/40D2uc1kWm
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 26, 2026

Luis Enrique doesn't expecte the same game, however. "I think we handle certain situations better compared to that time. We are quite confident. We know that we will have to defend to a high level but the key is to play in our usual manner," said the PSG manager on Tuesday.

And Eddie Howe is aware too that this won't be an easy task this time around. Speaking pre-match, he described this as the "ultimate test". That is despite a rough patch of form for PSG, who lost to Sporting CP last week and struggled to get over the line against Auxerre in Ligue 1 McDonald's over the weekend.

Neves and Ruiz back for PSG

Luis Enrique has spoken about a lack of finishing touch from his forwards, as well as "imprecissions" in build-up. He will be hoping from a reaction from his players. And that includes Joao Neves and Fabián Ruiz, both of whom have returned from injury in order to compete on Wednesday night.

"It's incredible, the Champions League is the best medicine: everyone is fit," joked the PSG manager. But it will be very serious business at the Parc des Princes with PSG so desperate to retain a trophy that they coveted for so long.

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