Vincent Kompany delivers Newcastle United Champions League view ahead of Paris Saint-Germain clash

Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany believes Newcastle United have to stay true to their style of play if they are to make the most of their Champions League adventure.

The Magpies brought an end to their two-decade absence from European football’s elite competition with a fourth-placed season in last season’s Premier League and made a solid return to the competition with a goalless draw at Serie A giants AC Milan last month.

Anticipation is growing ahead of Wednesday night’s home clash with Paris Saint-Germain as St James Park hosts its first Champions League group stage game since goals from Patrick Kluivert and Thiago Motta gave Barcelona a 2-0 win at Gallowgate in March 2003.

Competing at the highest level is seen as key as Eddie Howe and his coaching staff aim to deliver on the ambitious plans set out by the Magpies hierarchy as they look to replicate the journey Kompany’s former club embarked on in the aftermath of a high-profile takeover in 2008.

Since the Abu Dhabi group took control, City have claimed seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups, three Community Shields and one UEFA Super Cup - but their biggest acheivement came earlier this year when a Rodri got the only goal of their 1-0 win against Inter Milan in the Champions League Final.

Now manager of Burnley, Kompany was given a first-hand view of Newcastle’s development when his side fell to a 2-0 defeat at St James Park on Saturday - and the Clarets boss has given an indication of the challenges the Magpies are facing as they combine competing in numerous competitions over the course of a hectic season.

Speaking after his side’s defeat at St James Park, Kompany said: “It’s difficult to say (how they will perform).

“The one thing I know is that I went through this transition with Man City where you go from never playing in the Champions League or not playing for a long time to your first season (back).

“The key thing is you have to build your experience and try to play your game. The Champions League is the highest level of course but the Premier League has moved on to a level where I don’t think any of the English sides need to be afraid of the big sides in the Champions League.”