AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Magpies Open Their Champions League Adventure With A Stalemate In Milan?

Making their first Champions League appearance in almost two decades on Tuesday evening, Newcastle snatched a rugged 0-0 stalemate away at Italian giants AC Milan.

While Newcastle might not have been at their free-flowing best at the San Siro, Eddie Howe’s men had to put in a resilient performance on foreign soil as they struggled to create much in the final third.

Not mustering a single shot on target until the 94th minute, the Magpies would have simply been excited to get their first Group F points on the board.

Although Newcastle’s return to Europe’s elite might have stolen most of Tuesday’s headlines, AC Milan will certainly feel that they missed out on a golden opportunity to lay down an early marker.

Despite dominating for large spells here, the Rossoneri missed a host of promising chances on either side of the half-time break and they failed to claim a crucial boost following last weekend’s infamous Derby della Madonnina hammering.

In what was Newcastle’s date with destiny, we have taken a look at the key talking points from Tuesday’s showdown at the San Siro.

The Magpies show their European resolve

Making major history last season and with the mood around St. James’ Park at a red-hot high, Tuesday’s trip to the San Siro was almost a fairytale story for the Magpies.

Managing to pick up some crucial momentum on their return from the international break last weekend as they landed a 1-0 victory at home against Brentford, Newcastle always knew that they would face a stern challenge here.

While Tuesday’s guests might have struggled to find much Premier League stability since opening the 2023/24 campaign, they certainly put in a gritty performance on the biggest stage.

Pinned back for large spells and often camped inside their own half, Newcastle had to be at their rugged best as Nick Pope’s was forced into a handful of crucial saves on either side of the half-time break.

Although Tuesday’s 0-0 stalemate in Milan might mean that the Magpies have collected just a single win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions, Howe’s camp will be relishing their next Champions League outing when they welcome French icons PSG to St. James’ Park on October 4th.

A tough week for the Rossoneri

While AC Milan might have opened the new Serie A campaign with a real early-season flurry, the Italian heavyweights certainly marked their return from September’s international break with a woeful performance at the San Siro.

Eventually hit with what will be remembered as an infamous 5-1 drumming in the Derby della Madonnina, the Rossoneri opened their Champions League adventure on Tuesday evening with plenty of pressure on their shoulders.

Suffering their worst defeat at the hands of their bitter local rivals since way back in 2009, the midweek hosts will be feeling like they missed out on a potential chance here.

Although Stefano Pioli’s side might have created plenty of opportunities here, they do have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost.

Showing some signs of a hangover at the San Siro, things do not get any easier for Milan as they are next seen in Champions League action on October 4th when they travel to German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Newcastle are still seeking a clinical edge

Although Howe might have been excited by his side’s resilient display on Tuesday evening, the former Bournemouth boss could have a mild headache over his side’s recent struggles in the final third.

Not registering a shot on target until the 94th minute here and struggling to find any kind of attacking fluidity, the Magpies have now scored just a single goal from open play in their previous three appearances across all competitions.

Suffering that remarkable last-gasp collapse at home against Liverpool prior to September’s international break, Newcastle have also failed to notch more than a single goal in any of their last five attempts.

With that run stemming back to their opening weekend 5-1 romp against Aston Villa on August 12th, the decision to drop Callum Wilson certainly raised some eyebrows among Newcastle’s travelling support.

Likewise, with Jacob Murphy handed a shock start at the San Siro, Howe is still waiting for his side to match a similar attacking level that they set last season.

Match Report

AC Milan: Maignan, Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Pobega, Leao, Giroud, Chukwueze

Subs: Florenzi, Musah, Sportiello, Pulisic, Reijnders

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Subs: Barnes, Wilson, Almiron, Anderson

Goals: N/A

Yellow Cards: AC Milan: Musah, Calabria, Krunic, Giroud – Newcastle: Schar

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Sanchez Martínez