Ultimately, though, the adventure ended in disappointment. Newcastle were unable to make it to the knockout stages of the competition, with their Champions League campaign ending before Christmas. Excitement and drama, but no real success.
This time around, the hope is that things will be different. Tomorrow’s home game with Barcelona will be a huge occasion, evoking memories of Sir Bobby, Faustino Asprilla and September 1997, but Eddie Howe and his players are desperate for it not to be the high point of their European campaign.
Regardless of how many memories are made over the next three months, with the new Champions League format meaning that 24 of the 32 teams will progress beyond the group phase, another season without knockout European football will be regarded as a failure. No longer Champions League tourists, this is now about Newcastle getting through.
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“There were a lot of unknowns last time,” said Howe. “The focus was always on trying to get through the group stage, but there was a feeling we were experiencing something new, we enjoyed it, but ultimately, we failed.
“This time, the resolve is stronger to try and progress, not just to enjoy the experience but to try and make it a meaningful one.
“We've done that historically in the past, learning things and trying to add layers - whether that’s the preparation or whatever - and trying to build on it.”
In the wake of everything that happened two seasons ago, Howe has conceded that Newcastle made mistakes. There were times when the occasion seemed to get the better of a team that wasn’t used to European competition. The preparation wasn’t always right. Injuries proved crippling because the squad wasn’t deep enough to compete on multiple fronts.
Two years on, and Howe is confident the club is in a much better position to cope. This summer’s transfer business has strengthened the squad, even if the absence of both Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey is an obvious blow. There will be tweaks to Newcastle’s schedule this season, particularly when it comes to travelling to European away days, and after lifting the Carabao Cup last term, the Magpies’ key players have grown accustomed to handling big occasions.
“I think we’re better equipped,” said Howe. “We’ve got that experience of (the PSG game), and the size and magnitude of all the games we’ve played.
“Everything that goes into a Champions League game is different from the Premier League, it feels different, the build-up is different. We hadn’t done that before and that experience will help us.
“I think the squad is arguably stronger than it was two years ago. Certainly, the squad is different, and I will back the quality we have. They are all tough games, tough-looking fixtures, and the early games will be really important for us to set the foundations.”
Not, however, that Newcastle’s start is easy. Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015, but the reigning La Liga champions remain European royalty, sprinkling stardust wherever they visit.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal might be missing tomorrow as he nurses a groin injury sustained while on international duty with Spain, but Barcelona’s starting line-up could still feature the likes of Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford. On Sunday, as Barcelona thrashed Valencia 6-0, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha started on the substitutes’ bench. Coming on as second-half substitutes, they finished with two goals apiece.
“It’s a historic fixture,” said Howe. “As soon as we were drawn against Barcelona, it had a sort of magical feel to it. I think it will be an amazing game to experience.
“Obviously, our focus in the last few days has been on the tactical preparation and trying to prepare as best we can, but now that it’s here, I’m just excited to sample the atmosphere. I’m sure it will be an incredible occasion.”