HaydnNUFC Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN @ Parc des Princes Soooo...the league stage all comes down to this. Contrive to win competitively for the first time in France since we beat Sochaux in 2004 and we are in the top 8 and straight into the round of 16. No more CL games until March. Fail to win and it's the knock out playoffs, both legs in February. The club that stands in our way is one we're quite familiar with. LAST TIME OUT? Heh. I think you all remember. Whilst the game against PSG at SJP was magical, the following two matches and subsequent defeats against Dortmund were much less so. By November time in 2023-24 we had a mounting injury list to the point where the subsititutes bench were full of either goalkeepers or children. And the trip to PSG was no different. We had come off the back of a hilarious 4-1 home win against Chelsea and went to Paris with qualification looking a bit hopeful. PSG boasted the likes of Mbappe, Hakimi, Dembele and Asensio. We did not make a single substitution in the match due to it consisting of Dubravka, Karius, Dummett, Hall, Huntley, Ndiweni and Parkinson. And yet; We found ourselves 0-1 up with Donnarumma parrying a tame shot straight to the path of a rat who scored his 1 and only CL goal to date. Desperate but hearty defending and PSG missing golden chances throughout the second half strongly suggested we were to get a famous away CL win, our first since 2003. However as the 8 minutes stoppage time creeped into the final couple of minutes the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, waved away a penalty claim for handball against Livramento as PSG grew desperate. Despite a very strong performance by Marciniak up to this point, he was called to the screen. Replays clearly showed the ball bounce off of Livramento's midriff and onto his arm as he was running; in no way a handball offence. Yet, he inexplicably awarded PSG a penalty. Mbappe equalised and our fate in qualifying for the RO16 was no longer in our hands. The draw meant that PSG were 2 points and 1 goal better off than us going into the final game. If you want to rewatch the agony; The teams that night; PSG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Skriniar, Pereira, Hernandez, Ruiz, Ugarte, Lee, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe NUFC: Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento, Guimaraes, L.Miley, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Isak WHAT ABOUT THEM NOW? Under Luis Enrique they seem to have gone through a culture change. Gone are the days of big money, big name signings to some extent and nurturing of younger players has seen them build quite a side. Last season, they breezed to the Champions League, their first in their history and the first French winners since Marseille in 1993. They sit top of Ligue 1, 2 points clear of 2nd place Lens. They won 1-0 away at Auxerre on Friday night, but lost 2-1 away at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League the previous Tuesday. Their Champions League record is identical to ours with 4 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats, same points, same goal difference. 1 home defeat, 1 away defeat, 1 away draw. Their 1 home defeat came against Bayern Munich who played a whole half of the match with 10 men. Bradley Barcola is their top scorer in the league, Goncalo Ramos is top scorer in all competitions. Dembele after winning the Ballon d'Or has yet to find last season's form. HOW WELL DO WE DO IN FRANCE? 2025-26; lost 2-1 v Marseille (Champions League) 2023-24; drew 1-1 v PSG (Champions League) 2012-13; lost 2-0 v Bordeaux (Europa League) 2004-05; won 0-4 v Sochaux (UEFA Cup) 2003-04; lost 2-0 v Marseille (UEFA Cup) 2001-02; drew 0-0 v Troyes (Intertoto Cup) 1996-97; lost 3-0 v Monaco (UEFA Cup) 1996-97; drew 1-1 v Metz (UEFA Cup) 1977-78; lost 2-1 v Bastia (UEFA Cup) ANY TIES BETWEEN THE CLUBS? David Ginola; Played for Newcastle United 1995-97. 75 games, 7 goals. Played for PSG 1992-95. 158 games, 44 goals. Didier Domi; Played for Newcastle United 1998-01. 70 games, 3 goals. Played for PSG in two spells; 1996-98 & 2001-04. 79 games, 0 goals across both. Alain Goma; Played for Newcastle United 1999-01. 41 games, 1 goal. Played for PSG 1998-99. 30 games, 0 goals. Helder; Played for Newcastle United on loan from Deportivo La Coruna 1999-00. 8 games, 1 goal. Played for PSG 2004-05. 16 games, 1 goal. Sylvain Distin; Played for Newcastle United on loan from PSG 2001-02. 35 games, 0 goals. Played for PSG 2000-02. 45 games, 0 goals. Laurent Robert; Played for Newcastle United 2001-05. 181 games, 32 goals. Played for PSG 1999-01. 85 games, 34 goals. David Rozehnal; Played for Newcastle United 2007-08. 21 games, 0 goals. Played for PSG 2005-07. 75 games, 1 goal. Fabrice Pancrate; Played for Newcastle United 2009-10. 16 games, 1 goal. Played for PSG 2004-09. 95 games, 10 goals. Hatem Ben Arfa; Played for Newcastle United 2010-14. 86 games, 14 goals. Played for PSG 2016-18. 32 games, 4 goals. Yohan Cabaye; Played for Newcastle United 2011-14. 93 games, 18 goals. Played for PSG 2014-15. 57 games, 3 goals. Georginio Wijnaldum; Played for Newcastle United 2015-16. 40 games, 11 goals. Played for PSG 2021-22. 38 games, 3 goals. I think yesterday on top of our known quality of being fucking shite away from home has sapped a lot of appetite for this. Another Gallic trip it is, then. One of the toughest fixtures possible, but not entirely mission impossible. A win and it will save us another 2 midweek slots which given our fixture pile up would be massive. To those going, stay safe in Paris. Fingers crossed a fantastic result for us is brought home. Howay the lads! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibierski Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Pope: Miley, Thaiw, Botman, Burn, Hall: Bruno G, Tonali: Gordon, Wolte, Elanga That’s my prediction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fak Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 1 minute ago, Sibierski said: Pope: Miley, Thaiw, Botman, Burn, Hall: Bruno G, Tonali: Gordon, Wolte, Elanga That’s my prediction. Is Bruno back? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloGeordio Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 1 minute ago, Fak said: Is Bruno back? Eddie implied he may be ready and they’ll have a look at him. I expect him back. No doubt he’ll want to play even if his foot is in a moon boot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I’d probably rest Bruno for this, bigger games coming up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fak Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Just now, PauloGeordio said: Eddie implied he may be ready and they’ll have a look at him. I expect him back. No doubt he’ll want to play even if his foot is in a moon boot. Last thing we need is Bruno coming back from injury; bagging 2 assists and 2 screamers in a 4-0 victory at the Parc des Princes and making Luis Enrique get his cheque book out for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloGeordio Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Just now, SUPERTOON said: I’d probably rest Bruno for this, bigger games coming up. UCL chance of a top 8 finish. Pretty big game like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnNUFC Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Just now, SUPERTOON said: I’d probably rest Bruno for this, bigger games coming up. Dunno, like. If we contrived to win this as unlikely as it is having 2 free midweek slots next month would be massive. If we had to toss a game off I'd rather it be Man City next week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 2 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said: UCL chance of a top 8 finish. Pretty big game like. 1 minute ago, HaydnNUFC said: Dunno, like. If we contrived to win this as unlikely as it is having 2 free midweek slots next month would be massive. If we had to toss a game off I'd rather it be Man City next week. Aye, by bigger games, I just mean more realistic. I cannot see any scenario where we don’t get absolutely battered on Wednesday night tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Deep down, we all know that Edward John Frank Howe does not do tossing off games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjb Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Gordon hatrick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe1984 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) Just now, The Prophet said: Deep down, we all know that Edward John Frank Howe does not do tossing off games. Except Bournemouth... In the league. Edited January 26 by Joe1984 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Butcher Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Hold iz. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloGeordio Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 22 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said: Aye, by bigger games, I just mean more realistic. I cannot see any scenario where we don’t get absolutely battered on Wednesday night tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeEd32 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 When I opened this I planned to comment: Biggest European game since ... ? And then I see this: 18 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said: I’d probably rest Bruno for this, bigger games coming up. Honestly not sure what anyone wants at this point. We're playing the European champions with a chance to advance further than ever in this competition (and bank €11m for those so worried about missing out on Europe next year). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Aye, it’s absolutely massive. We could potentially be in the round of 16 in the CL, ffs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteV Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 A reminder of our bench the last time we pitched up here and were one minute and one idiotic refereeing decision from winning: Dubravka Karius Hall Dummett Huntley Ndiweni Parkinson Anything is possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I think we’ll get howked, and would even with our strongest XI, but I’ll be interested to see how we approach this. Wouldn’t shock me if it’s similar to OM since they’ll sack of defending to a large degree. Play the quick lads and just lob balls over the top into the channels on the chances we get. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnNUFC Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 1 minute ago, Disco said: I think we’ll get howked, and would even with our strongest XI, but I’ll be interested to see how we approach this. Wouldn’t shock me if it’s similar to OM since they’ll sack of defending to a large degree. Play the quick lads and just lob balls over the top into the channels on the chances we get. No idea why he didn't try that yesterday with Villa's high line in the first half tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 39 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said: I’d probably rest Bruno for this, bigger games coming up. Chance to save ourselves two games while our schedule is packed, make a ton of money and go further than ever before? I think we should go after the game as a free hit and play with freedom to win the game. The pressure is on them not us Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 That pen decision Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibierski Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Just can’t see how we don’t create some massive chances with Elanga on break. We’ll probably have two clear chances and we have to score both and be solid defensively to win. It’s doable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big River Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 5 at the back with Burn making a triumphant return Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 19 minutes ago, timeEd32 said: When I opened this I planned to comment: Biggest European game since ... ? And then I see this: Honestly not sure what anyone wants at this point. We're playing the European champions with a chance to advance further than ever in this competition (and bank €11m for those so worried about missing out on Europe next year). Didn’t say I wasn’t looking forward to it, don’t care about the extra money either. Still think we get absolutely battered. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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