Champions League football returns to St James’ Park tonight for the second time in this season with Bundesliga runners up Borussia Dortmund coming to Tyneside to challenge Newcastle United’s European home record.
Newcastle and Dortmund have never met before, so this will be the first competitive meeting between the teams.
Like their hosts, Dortmund are on a good run of form domestically. Their win on Friday night placed them temporarily at the top of the Bundesliga and extended their unbeaten domestic league record to 16 games since losing at Bayern Munich in April, their only reversein 27 Bundesliga outings.
However, so far in the Champions League, Dortmund have been beaten 0-2 in Paris and held to a scoreless draw at home by AC Milan.
Speaking at his press conference Eddie Howe stressed that this with be another test for his squad: “It’s a tough game ahead. The beauty of the PSG game was the whole environment created by the supporters, but we need to forget that result. Take the confidence from it, but try to create that atmosphere all over again, and for us try to recreate those intensity levels and quality of our play to try to win the game.
“It’s another real top test. This group was always going to be that way and it’s great to be involved in. We knew this would be a tough examination for us; this is a key period in it now.
“We’ve made a good start but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. This is a pivotal game in the group.”
On the ongoing situation and availability of Sandro Tonali Howe said: “As far as I’m aware, I’m expecting him to be available. I will plan like that until told differently. I can’t second guess what will happen. He has trained and is available.
And on the suggestion from some that UEFA may block Tonali from taking part ahead of any ban how said: “If that’s the case (UEFA does not want him involved), you know more than I do. I know very little. I’ve been preparing for the game. So I will wait to hear if anything concrete comes through.
"I haven’t (spoken to him about Saturday). It was emotional for him; that was clear to see. That will help him long-term. He will always be able to reflect back into that love he got from the supporters when he really needed it. Hopefully that will help his long-term relationship with the supporters.”
“Joe Willock is getting closer with every day that passes," said Howe, who had less positive news on his only other injury worry.
He added: “Sven Botman is still out. Apart from that we’re pretty similar to Saturday.
“I think Alexander Isak is back to full fitness. He’s trained really well in the build-up to this game so I’m delighted at where his career is at and where his performances have been for us. I’m sure Alex will want to do well because it’s our next game.”
Dortmund Head coach Edin Terzic also met the press on Tuesday evening and he had similar thoughts to Howe on his expections for the task ahead.
On Newcastle, Terzic said: “It’s not just the last couple of weeks; what they did last season was part of that. If you look at their whole history and the investment and money that has come in, they’ve been smart in the transfer market and built a team over 18 months.
“Qualifying for the Champions League through the Premier League is tough. When you look at this group we’re in you can see the strength and they’re top of the group at the moment, but only two games have gone so it’s really tight.
“Tomorrow we need to produce a good performance so we can earn victory. We can expect a warm welcome tomorrow night. It’s about us producing our game and energy on the pitch and making the most of this occasion.”
Dortmund will be backed by 3,000 travelling supporters and together with 49,000 geordies there promises to be a great atmosphere inside St James’ Park.
KO is 8pm
Newcastle and Dortmund have never met before, so this will be the first competitive meeting between the teams.
Like their hosts, Dortmund are on a good run of form domestically. Their win on Friday night placed them temporarily at the top of the Bundesliga and extended their unbeaten domestic league record to 16 games since losing at Bayern Munich in April, their only reversein 27 Bundesliga outings.
However, so far in the Champions League, Dortmund have been beaten 0-2 in Paris and held to a scoreless draw at home by AC Milan.
Speaking at his press conference Eddie Howe stressed that this with be another test for his squad: “It’s a tough game ahead. The beauty of the PSG game was the whole environment created by the supporters, but we need to forget that result. Take the confidence from it, but try to create that atmosphere all over again, and for us try to recreate those intensity levels and quality of our play to try to win the game.
“It’s another real top test. This group was always going to be that way and it’s great to be involved in. We knew this would be a tough examination for us; this is a key period in it now.
“We’ve made a good start but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. This is a pivotal game in the group.”
On the ongoing situation and availability of Sandro Tonali Howe said: “As far as I’m aware, I’m expecting him to be available. I will plan like that until told differently. I can’t second guess what will happen. He has trained and is available.
And on the suggestion from some that UEFA may block Tonali from taking part ahead of any ban how said: “If that’s the case (UEFA does not want him involved), you know more than I do. I know very little. I’ve been preparing for the game. So I will wait to hear if anything concrete comes through.
"I haven’t (spoken to him about Saturday). It was emotional for him; that was clear to see. That will help him long-term. He will always be able to reflect back into that love he got from the supporters when he really needed it. Hopefully that will help his long-term relationship with the supporters.”
“Joe Willock is getting closer with every day that passes," said Howe, who had less positive news on his only other injury worry.
He added: “Sven Botman is still out. Apart from that we’re pretty similar to Saturday.
“I think Alexander Isak is back to full fitness. He’s trained really well in the build-up to this game so I’m delighted at where his career is at and where his performances have been for us. I’m sure Alex will want to do well because it’s our next game.”
Dortmund Head coach Edin Terzic also met the press on Tuesday evening and he had similar thoughts to Howe on his expections for the task ahead.
On Newcastle, Terzic said: “It’s not just the last couple of weeks; what they did last season was part of that. If you look at their whole history and the investment and money that has come in, they’ve been smart in the transfer market and built a team over 18 months.
“Qualifying for the Champions League through the Premier League is tough. When you look at this group we’re in you can see the strength and they’re top of the group at the moment, but only two games have gone so it’s really tight.
“Tomorrow we need to produce a good performance so we can earn victory. We can expect a warm welcome tomorrow night. It’s about us producing our game and energy on the pitch and making the most of this occasion.”
Dortmund will be backed by 3,000 travelling supporters and together with 49,000 geordies there promises to be a great atmosphere inside St James’ Park.
KO is 8pm
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