Eddie Howe keen for Newcastle to make their mark on Champions League

Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle are not along for the ride as they embark upon a new Champions League campaign against Barcelona having “failed” two seasons ago.

The Magpies announced their return to the biggest European stage in October 2023 when they took Paris St Germain apart at St James’ Park with a 4-1 victory, which gave them every chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.

Ultimately they did not make it out of the group and that is very much in head coach Howe’s mind as he prepares for a similarly testing fixture in this season’s opener against Hansi Flick’s men on Thursday evening.

Tino Asprilla's iconic hat-trick against tomorrow's opponents, Barcelona at St. James' Park - on this day in 1997!