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Newcastle face tough test in Paris amid poor away record
Newcastle United head to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for a Champions League match, hoping to reverse a dismal away form that has seen them win just three of their 14 road games this season. The Magpies have struggled to replicate their home dominance on their travels, with a win rate of just 21% compared to 62% at St James' Park.
Struggling to find the net away from home
Newcastle's attacking woes on the road have been stark. They have scored only 10 Premier League goals away from home this season, fewer than all but two teams. Their average of 1.2 goals per away game pales in comparison to the two goals per match they manage at St James'. The team has also registered fewer shots and touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes when playing away.
Forwards like Anthony Gordon, who has been involved in eight Champions League goals this season, have found the net just three times away from home. Bruno Guimarães and Yoane Wissa have each scored only once on the road, highlighting the team's lack of cutting edge in unfamiliar surroundings.
Life after Isak and tactical struggles
The absence of Alexander Isak, who left for Liverpool, has been keenly felt. Nearly half of Isak's 27 goals for Newcastle last season came away from home, including a decisive strike in the Carabao Cup final. His ability to stretch defences and counter-attack effectively has been sorely missed.
Defender Sven Botman admitted the team is still searching for answers to their away struggles. "The results haven't been great away from home this season, and we definitely want to change that," he said. "It's hard to put a finger on what the reason is. We need a better level away from home and to be more consistent."
Howe urges team to rise to the challenge
Manager Eddie Howe has called on his players to focus on the task at hand rather than the venue. "There's rightly been a lot of questions asked about our away form and our ability to handle pressure," Howe said. "This will be a really good game to try and answer some questions and show ourselves that we can be effective in every environment."
Howe's side have often struggled to break down low-block defences, as evidenced by their goalless draw at Wolves earlier this month. Despite dominating possession with a 67% share, Newcastle failed to register a shot on target until the 85th minute, reflecting their lack of creativity and urgency on the road.
Home comforts vs. away woes
Newcastle's home form has been a stark contrast to their away struggles. They have picked up 23 points at St James' Park in the Premier League this season, more than all but four teams. They have also scored 22 goals at home, with three of their four Champions League wins coming on their own turf.
Season-ticket holder Adam Stoker noted the difference in atmosphere between home and away games. "When we play against teams at home who do sit in a bit more, the crowd can get the players over the line," he said. "Whereas, against Wolves away, when they were the ones sitting, and their crowd got behind them, that helped them. It feels like we're able to play slightly differently at home than we are away."
PSG clash a chance to turn the tide
Newcastle's upcoming fixtures-including trips to PSG, Anfield, and the Etihad Stadium-present a daunting challenge. However, Howe believes the magnitude of these games could bring out the best in his team. "Sometimes, the bigger the game and the harder the challenge, the more you have to rise to it," he said. "It goes without saying."
With their Champions League campaign hanging in the balance, Newcastle must find a way to translate their home form to the road if they are to progress further in the competition.
