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Your support makes all the difference.The question, of course, was what Lothar Matthäus, one of the giants of European football, was doing in the backwaters of Serbia. The answer is doing what he has always done, winning.
Thirteen years ago in Turin, Matthäus, then perhaps the finest player in the world, was the rock on which Bobby Robson's dreams of steering England to a World Cup final foundered. Now, as coach of Partizan Belgrade, he blocks Robson's path to another prize, perhaps less glittering but certainly more financially valuable, qualification for this season's Champions' League for Newcastle United.
Matthäus, now in his 42nd year, was last on public view as the fractious centre of all the disharmony which poisoned Germany's attempts to defend the European Championship in 2000. He departed for a final payday with New York-New Jersey MetroStars, then an equally brief spell as Rapid Vienna's coach before heading for Belgrade in January, when he took Partizan to their 18th title; this one achieved by 19 points, the greatest margin of any European club last season.
"That is one tournament I would have liked to miss. It was not a success for me or the team," Matthäus laughed, recalling the 1-0 defeat by England in Charleroi, the last time he faced a side captained by Alan Shearer. He has fonder memories of the penalty shoot-out which decided the World Cup semi-final at the Stadio delle Alpi, encapsulated by the photo of him hauling Chris Waddle to his feet after the last penalty was blazed high into the night.
"I remember Bobby Robson and Franz Beckenbauer going up to each other at the end; two big football men, full of respect for each other. You could see Bobby Robson had a big heart by the way he congratulated us. As for Chris Waddle, I know what it's like to miss a penalty, how important it was for him, how he would have wanted to disappear."
Belgrade has tasted success in Europe, although Partizan's triumphs, which have included knocking Newcastle out of the Cup-Winners' Cup five years ago, were entirely overshadowed by Red Star's victory over Barcelona in the 1986 European Cup final. "Now, I think that if Partizan qualify for the Champions' League, it will be the same level of achievement as it was when Red Star won the European Cup," he said, explaining why.
"The country has its problems. We have a population of nine million which is why we don't get the support that you do in England. There are no real sponsors, no television money and little from advertising; the club has to exist for a year on a budget of €4m [£2.7m] and we can't just hand the money over to an Alan Shearer."
Matthäus has reportedly psyched himself up for this contest by watching Mad Max videos, although his captain, Sasa Ilic, who at 25 is one of the most experienced players in a very young side, admits the squad has not actually sat down to watch a video of Newcastle in action.
Charleroi apart, Matthäus has plenty of experience of overcoming English opposition, although this time it will be exceptionally difficult.
"English football has changed in the last 10 years. It's no longer about long balls," he said. "They are true Europeans because of the impact of foreign players and managers, while Newcastle and Arsenal are technically probably the best in England."
That might matter less in the intense atmosphere of the Stadion Partizana, which on Newcastle's last visit provided a hostile environment, fuelled by the announcement that Nato was preparing to go to war with Serbia.
Belgrade is a happier, freer, friendlier city five years on, although Nolberto Solano, one of four survivors from Ruud Gullit's team, and given a chance in Newcastle's midfield because of Lee Bowyer's six-match European ban, thinks the reception tonight will be intense enough. "It will be very, very hard. When I played in Argentina [for Boca Juniors] you would get it all the time, these mad people. You don't expect to meet nice people at grounds like these."
Shearer, who scored the winner in Charleroi the last time Matthäus encountered English opposition, is well used to flourishing while being booed. He claims to be feeling fitter and sharper than at any time since returning to Tyneside seven summers ago and this morning celebrates his 33rd birthday. Under the circumstances, you would bet on a goal.
Partizan Belgrade (probable: 3-5-2): Kralj; Cirkovic, Malbasa, Dordevic; West, Rzasa, Duljaj, Ilic, Nad; Iliev, Delibasic.
Newcastle United (probable: 4-4-2): Given; Griffin, Woodgate, Bramble, Bernard; Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert; Bellamy, Shearer.
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