´The harder the challenge, the more you rise to it´ – Newcastle ready for PSG clash

Eddie Howe is under no illusions as to the scale of the task that his Newcastle United team face as they prepare to take on Paris Saint-Germain.

But he insists they will be ready to rise to the challenge, with a place in the last 16 up for grabs.

European champions PSG are sixth in the 36-team standings, with Newcastle heading into the final league-phase match in seventh.

A win for either team would ensure their automatic qualification to the last 16.

Newcastle head into Wednesday’s clash at the Parc des Princes without the injured Joelinton, while captain Bruno Guimaraes is also a doubt, though he has travelled to Paris.

“The bigger the game, the harder the challenge, the more you must rise to it,” Howe said.

“There have been several questions asked about our away form, to handle pressure, to be resilient.

Eddie Howe on Joey and Bruno:

“Joe won’t make the game, he has had a scan, we don’t think it is a bad injury, but we think he will be out for a few weeks. He will miss a few games. Our other Brazilian, Bruno, is with us, and we will know more in the next few hours.” pic.twitter.com/wglS4xfC2M

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 27, 2026

“This will be a really good game to try and answer some questions and be effective in every environment that we play.

“We will set up the team to do that and then will need them to play at their maximum.”

This will be the third meeting between PSG and Newcastle, with the Magpies having beaten the French giants 4-1 at home and then drawn 1-1 away back in 2023.

“You want to experience all the highs and lows that the competitions bring,” added Howe.

“You’re seeking that experience, but you’re seeking that reward at the end of it.”

Anthony Gordon echoed Howe’s sentiment.

“You’re facing the European champions, like we are tomorrow; you’re playing all the best players, the best managers, it’s just the biggest and the best,” he said.