Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has urged his side to put their massive victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the rear-view mirror as they prepare to take on Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
The Magpies kicked off their Champions League campaign with a jaw-dropping 4-1 victory over the Ligue 1 defending champions at St James’ Park.
Having been drawn in a ‘group of death’ alongside PSG, Dortmund and AC Milan, Howe’s side were expected to struggle in their quest to secure qualification.
However, Newcastle produced a performance against PSG that changed the narrative, earmarking them as early favourites to earn a spot in the knockout stage.
While their victory against PSG was nothing short of astonishing, Newcastle will need to repeat or better that performance when they welcome Dortmund to Tyneside in Wednesday’s showdown.
Edin Terzic’s side have been in terrific form in the Bundesliga this term and are one of only three teams yet to suffer defeat in their domestic division.
With that in mind, Howe has urged his side not to get carried away by the outstanding result against PSG ahead of another ‘pivotal’ Group F clash against Dortmund.
“It’s a tough game ahead,” Howe said in his pre-match press conference.
“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 re-create 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.”
Newcastle welcome Dortmund on the back of an outstanding eight-match unbeaten run and will be brimming with confidence after putting four past Crystal Palace in their last outing.
Victory against Dortmund will see the Magpies consolidate their spot at the summit, with PSG and Milan set to slug it out in the other Group F fixture.
