CHAMPION'S LEAGUE GROUP E: When plain Bobby Robson was the manager of England he described the job as like being the "prime minister for football", such was the national significance of the post to the English.
As the sun went down over Turin yesterday, Robson returned for the first time in a dozen years to the venue where that eight-year prime ministerial tenure headed towards its tearful end.
The Stadio Delle Alpi will forever hold memories bitter and sweet for Robson and as he walked back into the setting where England lost the 1990 World Cup semi-final to West Germany on penalties, Robson admitted to "a shiver down the spine".
But, as Robson said, the circumstances concerning tonight's game against Juventus, in a Champions League game they cannot afford to lose, are very different.
Yet, expectation and optimism are still Newcastle qualities and a positive result - Newcastle need a draw at least to rekindle any chance of reaching the second phase - would alter all the talk surrounding the club's return to the Champions League.
Losing to Dynamo in Kiev was no shame, but that 2-0 defeat was given fresh context by the Italians last week when they put five past Kiev here. Newcastle were losing at home to Feyenoord at the time.
It was notable that when one of Juventus' most gifted players, the Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, spoke about this match, he also mentioned Real Madrid.
That said something about the Juventus mindset. Alan Shearer had mentioned the UEFA Cup as he left Birmingham City on Saturday.
Nedved, indeed all the Juventus team, have been put in something of a bind after a remark made by the goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after the demolition of Kiev.
Buffon claimed that this Juve side "could be the best ever".
"I know some people think that," said Nedved yesterday, "and we are fully aware of the level of expectation at the club. We know we have to mount a serious challenge to Real Madrid."
There was no slight on Newcastle intended because Nedved had gone out of his way to salute Robson's side and to offer what is commonly known as a big 'come and get me plea'.
"I've watched a lot of Newcastle over the past year," said Nedved, "and I'm looking forward to playing at St James' Park. My dream is one day to play in the Premiership."
The absence of Craig Bellamy, suspended because of a headbutt in Kiev, is something Robson could do without. Kieron Dyer, whose defensive influence in Kiev was negligible, may be asked to fill a role he slips into all too easily - the one behind Shearer.
That would leave a gap in midfield to be filled by either Jermaine Jenas or Hugo Viana, assuming Robson retains the wing services of Nolberto Solano and Laurent Robert.
JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Montero, Moretti; Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Davids, Nedved; Del Piero, Di Vaio.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-1-1): Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Dabizas, Hughes; Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert; Dyer; Shearer.
Referee: R Temmink (Holland).
Guardian Service
