Newcastle face might of AC Milan with Champions League hopes on knife edge

Newcastle United’s rollercoaster Champions League group-stage ride reaches its final twist on Wednesday when the Premier League side play host to AC Milan at St James’ Park.

Drawn in the “Group of Death” alongside Ligue 1 title-holders Paris Saint-Germain, Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund and seven-time European champions Milan, the Magpies head into the game on Tyneside with their European hopes on a knife edge.

Dortmund have already secured their passage through to the last-16 but for the other three clubs, a nervous night awaits.

Newcastle will finish as runners-up and seal their knockout stage spot if they defeat the Rossoneri and PSG fail to win against Dortmund in Germany.

If the Magpies and PSG win – or Newcastle draw – then Eddie Howe’s side switch to the Europa League play-offs and their European adventure continues, albeit having dropped down a tier. Lose, and their first Champions League campaign in two decades is over.

“It would be an incredible achievement if we could do it, we can’t transport ourselves there,” said Howe in Tuesday’s press conference. “We can only look to do it. We have to get our focus right, we can’t be distracted by what’s done elsewhere.

“We have worked so hard to be in this position in the first place. Our intention, myself, the players, the coaching staff is to win the match.

“I think probably to be here with some kind of destiny in our hands, with European football in our hands … It’s got all the hallmarks of being a special game.

“All we can do is try to give our best performance, we will try everything. We want to make this a magical European night.”