Newcastle survived an onslaught from AC Milan to earn a point in their first Champions League group stage match in two decades.
(Photo: Getty Images)
AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle: Howe’s emergency, Milan miss, Tonali’s quiet return
Liam Tarme, Jacob Whitehead, Carl Anka and Jeff Rutter watched tonight’s game and put together their thoughts on what they saw – watch it below.
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AC Milan 0 Newcastle 0: Howe’s emergency, Milan miss, Tonali’s quiet return
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The remaining two teams in Group F met at the Parc des Princes and the scoreline remained scoreless as the half-time hour approached.
If you want to follow live updates of the match between PSG and Dortmund, go here for our live blog.
Great goalkeeping performance from the Pope
(Photo: Getty Images)
Pope has never had a more crowded game for Newcastle than he did today.
He was surrounded by the goal for most of the first half and scored 6 tries in 20 minutes.
He had to make another two after that but was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch at the San Siro.
Pioli: ‘You have to win when you play like this’
Pioli, on the other hand, wonders how his team could not break through with all the scoring chances they had.
“We’re disappointed because when you play like this you have to win,” he said. “The performance was good but we want to win.
“Our aim is to grow from this team and we want to start well. All players are important: those who start and those who come. We will not take any easy chances.”
Howe: ‘We didn’t intend to defend in depth’
It would be unfair to say Howe will be happy with his side’s performance, but it would be fair to say he is happy with one point.
“We had no intention of defending deep,” he said after the game. “Our defense was a bit loose but we defended the 18 yard box well throughout the game.”
He immediately looked ahead to the next match at home against PSG.
“We know we can grow and improve. We can be very positive about the next game,” added Howe.
Post-match statistics package
AC Milan take on Newcastle in a high-scoring affair.
The other night the Italian side were comfortable winners, but tonight was not one of those and their Premier League opponents worked tirelessly for their points.
Full time statistics
Shots: 25 – 6 Shots on target: 9 – 1 Big chances: 4 – 0xG: 2.08 – 0.19 Chances created: 17 – 6Possession: 52.4% – 47.6% Passes completed: 338 – 321 Fouls: – 3 Yellow cards: 16 – 16
Misleading Milan
(Photo: Getty Images)
In today’s game, Milan showed 25 goals without a reward.
It was their most clean sheet in the Champions League since 27 against PSV in October 2005.
A positive return to the Champions League for Newcastle
Finally a positive return to the Champions League for Newcastle. In the year With this team bottom of the Premier League in December 2021, who can complain away from home at the San Siro in less than two years?
Newcastle played like dogs – and in many ways they weren’t – but it was a game made for the legs of Sean Longstaff, Newcastle’s standout player in midfield. That’s the word for Kieran Trippier, who kept Raphael Leone quiet while maintaining his height.
Newcastle took the lead but were out of sync – as Longstaff’s late strike already showed, they are capable of winning games in this division.
A better start than last time for Newcastle
Newcastle have collected more points from their first three group games than they did the last time they did in the Champions League.
They lost each of their first three group matches in 2002–03 (against Dynamo Kyiv, Feyenoord and Juventus).
To forget a Milan
Big missed opportunity for Milan.
The fact is that their creativity was very good and balanced. After a dominant first half, the Calabrian captain took a while to get off the field, but substitute Florenzi proved to be an attacking threat with good passes.
But that’s one of the worst ways to picture the game after the horrendous defeat at Inter – dominance and lack of cutting edge.
Leo and Giroud, always reliable, made mistakes and should have had goals. But perhaps the biggest concern is the safety of goalkeeper Maignan and central midfielder Loftus-Cheek, who are both out injured.
A priceless point for Newcastle
The old saying goes if you can’t win, make sure you don’t lose and Newcastle did just that.
They were a million miles out of their reach in unfamiliar territory, but they came through unscathed.
Howe’s players were running empty-handed for most of the second half, so it was a testament to their desire to come away with a point.
With five more performances like this, they won’t qualify for the finals, but that’s irrelevant for now.
And the final whistle goes
FT AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
And Sportello will host their first Champions League game of the season with a corner.
Newcastle will return to England with a high score despite a forgettable performance.
Milan were wasteful and should have been out of sight after an hour but their Premier League opponents proved a tough nut to crack.
With three of Europe’s giants in the group, any point is bright for Newcastle, especially away from home.
Longstaff’s last-minute attempt was saved by Sportillo.
90+5′ Milan 0-0 Newcastle
Almost a big twist in the last minute of the stoppage!
Newcastle steal the ball and enter the Milan penalty area. The ball falls to Longstaff a yard outside the box and he makes a powerful effort towards goal.
Fortunately for Sportiello, it’s straight and he can put it over the crossbar.
Five minutes have been added
90+1′ Milan 0-0 Newcastle
The teams have another five minutes to score the winning goal.
Barnes to Issac
90′ AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
Barnes comes on for Isaacs for Newcastle’s final throw.
The English winger is making his second Champions League appearance, seven years after his first (for Leicester City against Porto).
Giroud shot directly to the Pope
88′ AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
Suddenly the game looked more NBA than UCL as the fatigue of both teams became apparent.
Almiron and Longstaff spoil a promising Milan attack in the penalty area.
Milan continue to push for a win.
86′ AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
The second half was marred by foul play on both sides, as well as yellow cards and substitutions.
That said, Milan were just as dominant as in the first half but failed to create enough clear-cut chances.
They were far from clinical when the ball fell to them in the Newcastle box.
And a yellow card for Giroud
83′ AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
Giroud quickly follows Moussa as he enters the referee’s notebook.
Longstaff is adjudged to have committed a foul and his frustration with the referee is punished.
Thanks to the Giroud, this decision was a tough one, but no excuse for his continued behavior.
Yellow card for Musa
82′ AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
A rare cut into the Milan half from Guimaraes caught Musa off guard and took the Brazilian into the attacking third to stop his progress.
The referee correctly declares a yellow card for the USMNT midfielder who has no complaints.
Maignan is out with an injury.
80′ AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
Another big blow for the hosts as Maigna can’t continue.
Replaced by Sportiello in goal.
