£52m Paris Saint-Germain signing scouted by Newcastle United makes ‘strong’ Magpies claim

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is confident of beating Newcastle United at St James’ Park this evening (kick-off 8pm).

Excitement is building on Tyneside as it stages its first Champions League match for the first time in 20 years. The Magpies opened up their Group F campaign with a goalless draw in Milan last month. while PSG beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Parc des Princes.

However, the two clubs’ domestic form has been a little contrasting of late. Newcastle head into the game having recorded four consecutive wins against Brentford, Sheffield United, Manchester City and Burnley.

PSG, meanwhile, have lost to Nice on home soil and failed to beat relegation favourites Clermont on Saturday. Nevertheless, Ugarte is hopeful of leaving the North East of England with a positive result.

“For me, the most important thing is to focus on ourselves,” he told PSG’s website. “We should focus on the opponent too, but more so on playing our way. We know if we play well, we’ll win.

“I’d like myself and the team to play like we did in Le Classique [v Marseille]. We know that the Champions League is tough but it’ll be easier if we all pull together.

“Of course, the Champions League is the greatest competition of all. You have to be on top form and pay attention to the minor details. As we’re playing against great teams, the minor details decide games. We need to stay focused but we’re confident as we know we’ve got a great team.”

Ugarte joined PSG from Sporting Lisbon in the summer in a transfer worth £52million. The Uruguayan had reportedly been scouted by Newcastle but their midfield signing arrived in the form of Sandro Tonali.

And Ugarte’s the Magpies’ midfield area is a position of strength.

“First of all, we need to see how Newcastle press and we need to try and find the free man every time to escape their press,” he said. “It depends a lot on each player’s individual qualities but we’re still confident and hoping to win the game.

“Newcastle have a very strong midfield with some very good players. I’m confident in myself and in my teammates and I think we’re going to have a great game.”