Eddie Howe recognizes Newcastle United’s crucial component in reaching the final 16 of the Champions League.

Eddie Howe recognizes Newcastle United’s crucial component in reaching the final 16 of the Champions League.

Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United have given themselves a springboard to get out of the Champions League group that was called “The Group of Death” previously.

After earning a point against AC Milan in Group F, the hammering of Paris St-Germain two weeks ago implies that favorable results against Borussia Dortmund in their next two games might place them in the last 16. Few could have predicted this scenario, but it has left Howe befuddled.

“It’s been a good start,” Howe said, according to Chronicle Live. Although the performance against AC Milan was not what we had hoped for, the fact that we gained a point and anything on the board there gave us a really strong start away from home.

“We’ve said throughout this group that our home form would be critical. We’ve got a good start at home, but nothing has been accomplished.

“We have some very difficult games ahead of us.” But we can put things on hold for the time being and focus on the Premier League.”

Newcastle’s Champions League campaign returns to St James’ Park on October 25 when European giants Borussia Dortmund visit Tyneside. The Under-19s will play Dortmund earlier that day at 3pm at Gateshead Stadium.

Dortmund have made an unbeaten start to their Bundesliga campaign and have won five and drawn two of their seven league games. The Champions League has been tougher for the German giants after losing to PSG and being held by Milan at home.