PSG hoping Newcastle visit can spark another run to Champions League glory / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP
-
Pogacar wins final stage to seal Tour of Switzerland success
-
Henry the hero for New Zealand as England bring back Stokes
-
Bolivia removes roadblocks after emergency decree
-
Vance hopes US, Iran can turn 'new leaf' with talks
-
Europe sweats through new heatwave, with worse to come
-
Trump-backed hardliner faces leftist senator as Colombia votes
-
Japan striker Ueda channels frustration to send World Cup warning
-
Dominant Tiafoe swats aside Fritz to win Halle Open
-
France hosts street music festival despite worsening heatwave
-
India hails Sooryavanshi after record 11-ball half-century
-
Swiss US-Iran talks venue a playground of world leaders, movie stars
-
Yamal returns to kickstart Spain attack against Saudi Arabia
-
Colombians vote in presidential runoff
-
Nigerian twins Taiwo and Kehinde marry... Taiwo and Kehinde
-
Marc Marquez wins Czech MotoGP to close gap on banned Bezzecchi
-
France presses ahead with street music festival despite extreme heat
-
Marc Marquez wins Czech MotoGP as Bezzecchi banned
-
'Historical justice': Dutch PM makes formal apology to Moluccans
-
Stokes to return as England captain for 3rd New Zealand Test - McCullum
-
Henry the hero as New Zealand level England series in style
-
Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: Palace
-
Gill to skipper India against England, Kohli to play if fit
-
France presses ahead with street music festivals despite extreme heat
-
UK's Starmer mulling 'political realities': senior minister
-
England's Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games ahead of 3rd Test
-
France presses ahead with music festivals despite extreme heat
-
Ukrainian strikes on Russian-annexed Crimea kill 4, pause fuel sales
-
Springboks recall 'outstanding' Papier for Nations Championship
-
US, Iran set for talks as Lebanon conflict threatens deal
-
Bezzecchi out of Czech MotoGP after slapping steward
-
Spain target convincing win to dispel World Cup doubts
-
FIFA draws criticism as Infantino clocks up air miles at World Cup
-
Curacao keeper Room jokes he deserves statue after World Cup heroics
-
Japan stroll to victory over Tunisia in World Cup's 1,000th game
-
Pakistan's mango exports shrink as Middle East war impacts linger
-
Trump blames 'terrible vandals' for Washington pool renovation woes
-
Iran World Cup travel restrictions to be eased, says coach
-
Man charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
-
Room heroics earn Curacao World Cup point against Ecuador
-
Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: reports
-
New mindset, prior win give Clark confidence at US Open
-
Fly-half Love ready for All Blacks start after Super Rugby heroics
-
Scheffler eager to seize the moment as career slam beckons
-
Saudis seek to repeat Argentina World Cup 'miracle' against Spain
-
Clark leads by six at US Open as Scheffler charges
-
Nagelsmann says Germany has higher ambitions than advancing to knockout stage
-
Los Angeles under state of emergency due to warehouse fire
-
A Father's Love Is One of Life's Greatest Blessings - ELEKTROS Inc. Honors Fathers Around the World on Father's Day
-
To the Fathers of the World: Thank You for Your Love, Your Sacrifice, and the Light You Bring to Your Families
-
ELEKTROS Inc. Extends a Heartfelt Father's Day Blessing to Fathers Around the World
PSG hoping Newcastle visit can spark another run to Champions League glory
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique on Tuesday insisted he would accept losing to Newcastle in their final league-phase outing of this season's Champions League if they can go on to win Europe's elite club competition for the second year running.
PSG and Newcastle come into Wednesday's decisive encounter at the Parc des Princes in sixth and seventh place respectively in the 36-team standings, level on 13 points but with the reigning champions having scored more goals.
Whoever wins will be guaranteed a top-eight finish, which grants direct qualification for the last 16. However, a draw could knock both sides out of the top eight, depending on results elsewhere -- the nine sides directly beneath them in the table are all within two points.
The latter scenario would leave PSG and Newcastle facing an extra two-legged play-off round next month, which is what PSG came through last season before going on to win the title in style.
"This is a competition that we clearly like, which is a positive thing. Of course our aim is to finish in the top eight, and to beat a very good Newcastle team who have a different style, brave and physical," Luis Enrique told reporters on the eve of the match in the French capital.
PSG and Newcastle met in the old group stage of the Champions League two seasons ago, with the English side winning 4-1 at St James' Park before a 1-1 draw in France.
"We know them from having played them before, so it will be very difficult," Luis Enrique added.
"This is a key point in the season for us, but not as important as the future, because our objective is to win the competition.
"I would take a defeat or a draw if it meant us going on to win the Champions League. The real Champions League begins after this and we are an incredible team in knock-out ties."
The coach said that full-back Achraf Hakimi would be in the squad for the first time since returning from helping hosts Morocco reach the Africa Cup of Nations final -- he has not played for his club since early November.
Eighteen-year-old Spanish midfielder Dro Fernandez, signed on Monday from Barcelona on a four-year deal for a reported fee of eight million euros ($9.6m), is likely to make his first appearance in the squad in PSG's Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg on Sunday.
T.Wright--AT
