Qarabag and Newcastle United head into Wednesday’s Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg in Baku knowing a rare round-of-16 place is now within touching distance.
Newcastle arrive at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium with a clear need to lay down a marker, as they look to set the tone for a tie they cannot afford to drift through.
This is not a stage Newcastle are used to reaching in modern times, and the pressure that comes with that opportunity will be impossible to ignore.
Their European away record this season has been concerning, as good performances have too often failed to produce a positive result.
However, the mood around the squad has shifted in recent days, and it has done so at the perfect moment.
Newcastle have put together back-to-back away wins, beating Tottenham Hotspur in the league before overturning Aston Villa in the FA Cup with a second-half surge.
Sandro Tonali’s brace at Villa Park felt like a statement in itself, especially with the side continuing to cope without Bruno Guimaraes.
Qarabag will not view this as a free hit. They have made history by becoming the first Azerbaijani club to reach this stage of the Champions League.
They beat Benfica, Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt in Baku during the league phase, and also held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw, results that will fuel their belief ahead of Newcastle’s visit.
Even the heavy defeat to Liverpool on the final matchday did not stop them progressing, and the sense of occasion in the stadium should be intense from the opening whistle.
Qarabag will also feel that Newcastle are more manageable opponents than some of the elite teams still left in the competition, and that mindset could make them even more dangerous.
Newcastle will expect a fierce start, and they will need composure as well as quality if they are to take control of the tie.
A strong first-leg result would put them in an ideal position for the return at St James’ Park, where a huge atmosphere could push them over the line.
But if Qarabag are given encouragement early on, they have already shown they can make Champions League nights in Baku uncomfortable for anyone.
