Report on Newcastle’s 0-0 tie with AC Milan at San Siro; Magpies earn point after 20-year absence from Champions League; While Sean Longstaff had Newcastle’s greatest attempt tipped over in stoppage time, Milan’s Rafael Leao missed multiple opportunities for Milan.
Joseph Shread
0:0 AC Milan On their Champions League comeback, Eddie Howe’s team from Newcastle holds on to a point against the indomitable hosts.
In their first Champions League match in more than 20 years, Newcastle held a superior AC Milan to a scoreless draw, earning what may turn out to be an important point.
Eddie Howe’s team was rewarded with a place in Group F along with European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund as well as last year’s semifinalists Milan after qualifying for the group stages for the first time since the 2002/03 season.
With Rafael Leao, Tommaso Pobega, and Olivier Giroud all missing opportunities, Milan completed the game with an expected goals total of 2.06 but no actual goals.
Any points gained away from St James’ Park must be treasured, even if they are the product of tenacious defense and careless play by the opposition.
With Rafael Leao, Tommaso Pobega, and Olivier Giroud all missing opportunities, Milan completed the game with an expected goals total of 2.06 but no actual goals.
Newcastle was never in the lead and only managed to have their first attempt on goal in the final seconds of the second half, perhaps feeling overwhelmed on such an important night for the team. When PSG comes to Tyneside next month, expect a punchier display.
Maignan, Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Pobega, Chukwueze, Giroud, and Leao all received a six out of ten for AC Milan.
Florenzi (7), Pulisic (6), Reijnders (6), Musah (6), and Sportiello (n/a) are the substitutes.
Pope (eight), Trippier (seven), Schar (seven), Botman (seven), Burn (six), Longstaff (six), Guimaraes (six), Tonali (six), Murphy (six), Isak (six), and Gordon (five) are the Newcastle players.
Wilson (6), Almiron (5), Anderson (6), and Barnes (n/a) are the substitutes.
Nick Pope won the game’s MVP award.
Newcastle’s anxiety was reasonable given that they were playing in one of Europe’s most renowned historic venues and were making their Champions League comeback after losing to Barcelona at home in March 2003.
As the Champions League song played before kickoff, Jacob Murphy, the winger given a surprise start by Howe, grinned widely, presumably indicating Newcastle would enjoy the moment.
Although Nick Pope made four significant saves, the Magpies should have been several goals behind at the break since they appeared overawed for the majority of the first half.
Pobega was the first to be sent away after capitalizing on a mistake by Dan Burn but having his strong stroke parried, and Samuel Chukwueze’s shot was then blocked by Pope.
Then, after the goalkeeper made up for a poor punch by stopping Giroud’s flicked shot, Theo Hernandez, who was unmarked, saw his header deflected over the crossbar.
Sean Longstaff was rightfully denied a penalty after falling to the ground under pressure from Leao, who also wasted Milan’s best opportunity when he tripped himself up while attempting a backheel after finding himself on the edge of the six-yard box after a crazy run by Newcastle.
As Newcastle hung on, Murphy then knocked Pobega’s rebound off the line, stopping Milan’s impetus during a subdued second half.
The match appeared to be headed for a draw when Leao once more missed the goal with a header. Newcastle sorely lacked the intensity they showed on their way to finishing in the top four of the Premier League last season.
Longstaff, a lifelong Newcastle supporter, was set up by Newcastle in stoppage time, but the visitors were denied an unfair victory when replacement goalkeeper Marco Sportiello deflected his powerful shot over the crossbar.
Joe Shread, a football reporter with Sky Sports:
“The excitement around Newcastle’s return to the Champions League had been growing ever since they earned their top-four spot in the spring, which is possibly why this performance felt so unsatisfactory.
Given that Howe’s team started eight Champions League rookies, their lackluster performance can be excused. However, it should not be forgotten that Milan only recently advanced to the competition’s semifinals.
Newcastle, though, has only managed two victories in their last six games across all competitions and hasn’t played well since smashing Aston Villa on the first day of the season.
Newcastle will need to put on a better performance than they did in Milan if they want to advance from the hardest of the eight Champions League groups.
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