The atmosphere in Nyon, Switzerland, was charged with anticipation as the footballing world gathered for a landmark moment in the new Champions League format. For Newcastle United, this wasn’t just another administrative event; it was the confirmation of their first-ever appearance in the knockout stages of Europe’s most prestigious competition.
With former Arsenal legend Robert Pires conducting the ceremony, the Magpies found themselves in a unique position. They were the only English side featured in this specific play-off draw, as their Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City had all secured enough points to finish in the top eight of the league phase, granting them a direct pass to the round of 16.
Newcastle’s path to this stage was forged through grit and a slight touch of heartbreak. A valiant 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes earlier this week showed that Eddie Howe’s squad belongs among the elite, yet it wasn’t quite enough to bypass this extra hurdle.
Because they finished 12th in the table, separated from PSG only by a narrow margin of goals scored, the Magpies were forced into the play-off round. As the balls were drawn from the pots, the destiny of the Tyneside club became clear: they will face the Azerbaijani champions, Qarabag, over two legs next month.
The matchup presents a fascinating contrast in styles and a significant logistical challenge. Qarabag entered the draw following a difficult outing against Liverpool, where they were soundly beaten at Anfield.
However, they remain a formidable opponent on their own turf, and the sheer distance between Newcastle and Baku was a topic of conversation long before the draw was finalized. When Eddie Howe addressed the media on Friday morning, less than two days after returning from Paris, he was asked if he would have preferred a shorter trip to a team like AS Monaco.
Howe, ever the diplomat, admitted that while a shorter flight would have been “possibly” easier for the squad’s recovery, the excitement of the moment far outweighed any concerns about travel. He expressed immense pride in his players’ defensive resilience in France and noted that the team is heading into this historic knockout tie with a massive wave of positivity.
The schedule is now set in stone, and Newcastle fans are already marking their calendars for a historic February. The first leg will see the Magpies travel to Azerbaijan during the week of February 17th.
This long-haul journey will test the depth and fitness of Howe’s squad, especially as they balance the high-intensity demands of the Premier League. The return leg, which promises to be one of the loudest nights in the history of St. James’ Park, will take place just a week later on February 24th or 25th.
The advantage of playing the second leg at home is something the club worked hard to earn, and they will be counting on the “Gallowgate roar” to carry them through to the next phase.
However, the road to the trophy only gets steeper from there. UEFA also mapped out the potential path for the winners of these play-off matches. Should Newcastle successfully navigate their tie against Qarabag, they won’t have much time to celebrate.
The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled for late February, and the Magpies already know they would be paired against one of two European heavyweights: Chelsea or Barcelona. It is a daunting prospect, but for a club that has waited decades to return to this level, these are exactly the types of “glamour ties” that the supporters and owners have dreamed of.
The potential for a deep run in the competition doesn’t stop there. If Newcastle were to pull off a massive upset in the round of 16, the path to the quarter-finals has also been partially laid out. They would find themselves facing one of four potential opponents: Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, or Liverpool.
The prospect of an all-English quarter-final is a tantalizing one, though Eddie Howe is famously focused on taking things one game at a time. Before any thoughts can turn to the likes of Barcelona or Liverpool, the team must first handle a resilient Qarabag side that will be eager to prove they are more than just a pushover.
This draw marks a significant turning point in Newcastle United’s modern era. It validates the “Vision 2030” project and rewards the fans for their unwavering loyalty through thinner years. While other English clubs might view the play-off round as an unnecessary distraction, for Newcastle, it is a badge of honor.
It is an opportunity to prove they can handle the pressure of knockout football and a chance to build the kind of European pedigree that defines the world’s biggest clubs. The journey to Baku may be long, but for the Magpies, it is a journey they are taking with their heads held high and a genuine belief that they can go all the way.
