Shearer hat-trick and Ameobi's Champions League heroics among Newcastle's proud German record; The Magpies face Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Dortmund tonight but have a good record against sides from Germany.
Byline: By, Adam Tones
German giants Borussia Dortmund will provide a stern test for Newcastle United as European football returns to Tyneside tonight, but the free-scoring Magpies will go into the match full of confidence and with history on their side.
United look to continue the unbeaten start to their Champions League campaign when Dortmund visit St James' Park and the fixture will be the first time the teams have faced off competitively. Dortmund lifted the Champions League in 1997 after defeating Juventus and have pedigree against European opposition in recent years with wins against Real Madrid, Sevilla and Inter Milan. Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund side finished runners-up in 2013 to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
The Magpies have enjoyed some special European nights of their own -- most memorably Tino Asprilla's hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Barcelona in 1998. St. James' Park has also witnessed Andy Griffin's winning strike against Juventus in 2003, Alan Shearer's hat-trick against Bayern Leverkusen and, most recently, a 4-1 thrashing of Kylian Mbappé's PSG.
Tonight's match will be only the third time a German outfit has faced Newcastle competitively at St James' Park, with United claiming victory on both previous occasions. Here we look at Newcastle's previous European fixtures against Bundesliga opposition.
1860 Munich 2-3 Newcastle United
2001-2002 -- Intertoto Cup -- Semi-Final First Leg
Nolberto Solano's brace put United 2-0 up -- the winger skipped past two defenders to fire past Simon Jentsch before converting from the spot after Craig Bellamy was fouled. After two quick-fire goals from Munich levelled the tie, Solano turned provider late on, finding Aaron Hughes at the back post where the Ulsterman headed home the winner.
Newcastle United 3-1 1860 Munich
2001-2002 -Intertoto Cup -- Semi-Final Second Leg
Two late goals from Lomana Lua-Lua and Solano helped Newcastle clinch victory. Gary Speed opened the scoring with a well-placed header inside the opening five minutes. Markus Schroth equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half time but Lua-Lua's neat finish from a...
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