Howe: Newcastle fans can lift us to UCL last 16

Published on: 12 December 2023

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Eddie Howe said Newcastle United supporters can help lift the team through to the Champions League round of 16 when they host AC Milan at St. James' Park in their final group game on Wednesday.

Newcastle have lost their last three away games in the Premier League, and Howe is happy to have the home support for Wednesday's game, and will analyse their away form later.

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"I don't doubt the character of the players we've got. The spirit is there and the intention is there to do well away from home. But that can wait, tomorrow we have to focus on our home form and a game against Milan," Howe told a news conference.

"We're going to need every voice, everyone can make a difference for us. That's befitting of our home form, the fans have driven us on and they've given us the ability to keep going, so we're going to need that tomorrow."

Eddie Howe is counting on the vocal support of Newcastle fans when his team host A.C. Milan in their final Champions League group game. ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images

Howe's side must win Wednesday's game to have a chance of making the knockout stages, but also need Paris Saint-Germain not to win away to Borussia Dortmund.

Howe said they will focus on what they can control.

"To be here with some kind of destiny in our hands, we'd have taken that. We have to think like that now anyway," Howe said.

"We can control what we can control, our performance tomorrow. We'll respect Milan, they're a very good team."

Group FGPWDLGDPTS1 - Dortmund5311+3102 - PSG5212+173 - Newcastle5122054 - Milan5122-451, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round

Howe gave little away when asked about the absence of keeper Martin Dúbravka and midfielders Anthony Gordon and Sean Longstaff from Tuesday's training session.

"You can read into it whatever you want," the manager said.

"We're two days after a game so we're trying to manage players. We'll see who is fit for tomorrow."

Borussia Dortmund top Group F on 10 points and have already qualified for the last 16, but PSG, on seven points, can top the group with a win in Germany.

A draw or defeat for the French side could see either Newcastle or Milan, both on five points, take advantage. Newcastle have the better head to head record with PSG, while Milan need to finish ahead of the Ligue 1 side on points.

"I think it would be an incredible achievement if we could do it, we can't transport ourselves there. We can only look to do it," Howe said.

"We have to get our focus right, we can't be distracted by what's done elsewhere."

Reuters contributed to this story.

Source: espn.co.uk

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