In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, Newcastle United, the English Premier League powerhouse, is set to clash with AC Milan, the Italian giants, in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League match. Both teams have a rich history in European football, and fans can expect an exciting display of skill, tactics, and determination on the pitch.
Newcastle United, led by their charismatic manager Eddie Howe, has been in scintillating form lately. With a perfect blend of experienced campaigners and young talents, they have shown their mettle in the domestic league. The attacking prowess of their forward line, coupled with a solid defense, makes them a formidable force. Players like Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes, and co have been instrumental in their success, and the fans will be hoping for more of the same in this crucial European encounter.
Newcastle started the season with a big win over Aston Villa in the Premier League before they went on a losing run to Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton, respectively. However, they have since incredibly recovered to get their season back on track. They returned to winning ways in the Premier League by beating Brentford before playing a goalless draw with Milan in their UCL opener. Four consecutive wins across all competitions followed, including wins over Manchester City and PSG.Â
After that excellent run, the Magpies only managed to win one of their next four matches as they lost 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in their third UCL group match at St. James’ Park. Eddie Howe knows the importance of this fixture and will be keen to guide his side to a win.Â
AC Milan, a team steeped in European history, brings a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents to this clash. Even with the quality of Theo Hernandez, Olivier Giroud, and Rafael Leao, AC Milan must be more impressive in this competition – failing to score in any of their first three UEFA Champions League games. The Rossoneri have a slight chance of reaching the next round, but Newcastle hopes to finish on a high after some impressive results in their opening round of games.
AC Milan’s season has been a topsy-turvy one. After a solid start to the Serie A, they have been racking up underwhelming results lately. As of the time of writing, they sit third on the Serie A log but have not won a single league game since early October, when they claimed a hard-fought win over Genoa on the road. In the UCL, they fired blanks in their opening three games and are looking destined to miss out on the second round. Stefan Pioli’s job could be under threat after this fixture.
In their final Serie A game in October, Milan surrendered a two-goal lead against Napoli to draw 2-2. A result that left Giroud and a number of the players quite frustrated about the performance.Â
Newcastle United are known for their compact style of play, often employing a high press to disrupt the opponent’s build-up. Their wide players are quick and skillful, capable of delivering dangerous crosses into the box. AC Milan, on the other hand, relies on their midfield control and quick, incisive passing to break down defenses via the wings. Expect a tactical battle with both teams vying for dominance in possession and territory.Â
As the countdown to the match begins, football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await this clash of titans. Whether you support Newcastle United or AC Milan or are simply a neutral observer, this UEFA Champions League fixture promises to deliver top-quality football, showcasing the essence of the beautiful game at its finest. Get ready for a memorable night of football action!
Match tickets
The match at St. James Park kicks off on Wednesday, 13th December, at 9 pm UK time, and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 8 PM.
Newcastle’s return to the elite competition has been quite decent, and they are likely to make it out of the group or even play in the Europa League, while things are tight for Milan in the group. Tyneside will be buzzing for this game. And, of course, passionate Milan fans will be present drumming their support for their team in this game.Â
Getting Newcastle vs AC Milan tickets will be difficult, given the standard of the game and the country the opposition is coming from. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’sÂ
Team news
Line-ups
Eddie Howe trusts his players a whole lot and tends not to make a whole lot of changes Sandro Tonali, who is serving a lengthy betting ban, will miss this tie against his former club, while Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock, upon his return from a long layoff, could be deployed in midfield together.
English goalkeeper Nick Pope should also continue in goal, while one of Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line. Meanwhile, Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, and Harvey Barnes could play no part in this match.Â
Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.Â
AC Milan have played with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic starting on either side of Olivier Giroud on most occasions this term. At the same time, the likes of summer recruits – Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor – have yet to be given that big chance. Mattia Caldara, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Marco Sportiello are currently out and could miss the trip to England.
AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao.
Prediction
Newcastle United’s attacking prowess and home advantage might give them an edge in the match’s early stages. They could take the lead if they capitalize on their home support and create goal-scoring opportunities.Â
However, AC Milan’s experience in European competitions and ability to control the midfield might also allow them to find opportunities to score.
Considering the talent on both sides, it would be surprising if the match ended in a draw, with both teams showcasing their skills and canceling each other.Â
Newcastle 2-1 AC Milan
