Qarabag FK vs Newcastle: A Champions League Odyssey
Newcastle United is no stranger to long away trips, but their upcoming clash against Qarabag FK in the Champions League play-offs represents a journey unlike any other. The 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase meant Eddie Howe’s side finished outside the top eight, forcing them into this two-leg play-off to secure a spot in the knockout stage. And the distance? A staggering 5,061 miles (8,100 kilometers) round-trip to Baku, Azerbaijan – the longest ever undertaken by an English club in the competition.
A Record-Breaking Journey
This trip eclipses even Chelsea’s previous visits to Qarabag, including a 2-2 draw in the league phase. While Chelsea’s 2017-18 visit to the Baku Olympic Stadium was slightly longer, Newcastle’s current journey sets a new benchmark for distance travelled in Champions League history. Newcastle’s league-phase schedule was relatively forgiving geographically, but this trip propels them to the top of the distance charts among Premier League teams.
The Expanding Champions League and Increased Travel
The expanded format of the 2024-25 Champions League, featuring 36 teams and 144 matches, has naturally led to increased travel for all participating clubs. The total distance covered by clubs in the league phase reached a record 313,131 miles – significantly more than any previous edition. Kazakhstan’s Kairat holds the second-longest journey record, with an 8,594-mile round trip to Sporting CP in Lisbon.
Europe’s Extremes and the Impact of Travel
The Champions League now stretches across the continent, with Kairat representing the easternmost side and Bodo/Glimt (Norway) the northernmost. Pafos (Cyprus) is the southernmost team to qualify. These extreme distances raise concerns about the competition’s carbon footprint. But does travel fatigue translate to on-pitch performance?
Historical Trends: Travel and Results
Looking back, Turkish grounds have historically proven challenging for English clubs. Manchester United’s infamous 1993 encounter with Galatasaray, greeted by a hostile atmosphere, foreshadowed a pattern of difficult results for Premier League sides in Turkey. Across 20 away Champions League matches in Turkey, Premier League clubs have a record of seven wins, six draws, and seven defeats.
Interestingly, English sides have consistently fared worse against Eastern European opposition away from home compared to their home fixtures. Win rates plummet, particularly against Ukrainian and Greek teams. Conversely, Swiss clubs seem unaffected by travel, with Premier League sides boasting a higher win rate away than at home in Switzerland.
Newcastle’s Domestic Challenges and the Baku Test
Newcastle’s domestic form on the road hasn’t been stellar, with only three wins in 13 away league matches this season. Adding to their travel burden, they still have nearly 3,000 miles to cover for their remaining Premier League fixtures. Despite potential fatigue, the quality gap between Newcastle and Qarabag suggests a favorable outcome for Howe’s team. Qarabag were convincingly defeated 6-0 by Liverpool in their final league-phase fixture.
While the journey to Baku may be long and arduous, the game itself is expected to be a relatively smooth sailing for Newcastle United.
Source: The Athletic
