Newcastle will play their first Champions League game in 20 years when they host AC Milan on Tuesday. The Rossoneri were humiliated by old rivals Inter Milan. The Magpies ended a three-game losing streak by defeating Brentford.
Preview (AC Milan vs. Newcastle)
There was no rain on Inter’s parade during a one-sided Derby della Madonnina on Saturday. The Nerazzurri scored five goals against their arch-rivals for the first time since 1974 in complete destruction. A Milanese deluge soaked everyone in attendance at San Siro. After Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal and Marcus Thuram’s rocket, Rafael Leao had given Stefano Pioli’s team some hope. However, the 34-year-old former Inter player inspired Inter to a magnificent victory. He scored twice in the course of the match and set up Davide Frattesi.
The Rossoneri’s Champions League run last year also came to an end at the hands of their San Siro rivals in the semi-finals, losing 3-0 on aggregate. In addition to matching that aforementioned 49-year-old goalscoring streak, Inter also made it five consecutive wins over Milan for the first time ever. However, a confident Pioli, had guided Milan to three opening victories this season over Bologna, Torino, and Roma. He could have few complaints about his team’s performance for the first 70 minutes of Saturday’s derby. However, it was unlikely that his assertions would cheer up the Rossoneri supporters.
Milan welcomes Newcastle to San Siro, however, having lost just one of their last 13 competitive games as the “home” team. Prior to Saturday’s humiliation, Milan had a three-game winning streak in the top division. In contrast, Newcastle played Brentford in their most recent Premier League game in an effort to restore some pride after losing three straight games during a gloomy summer. The former head coach of Bournemouth exhaled the biggest sigh of relief when his team snapped their three-game losing streak.
Team News
Although Pioli was missing center-back Pierre Kalulu because of a thigh issue that could keep him out for a few weeks, and Ismael Bennacer is still recovering from knee surgery, Milan’s weekend saw no more players enter the medical center with injuries. Fikayo Tomori, who is currently on suspension, helplessly watched as the Nerazzurri destroyed the Rossoneri from the sidelines. The England international is available to come back on Tuesday and might replace Malick Thiaw. He flattered to deceive and then some over the weekend.
Leao, Olivier Giroud, and Christian Pulisic may start for Pioli. Samuel Chukwueze and Leao were largely inactive during the derby. Olivier Giroud was injured on Saturday while playing for France on international duty. Nevertheless, he was able to play the whole 77 minutes. Sandro Tonali will also be joining them after suffering an injury during the international break. However, Tonali was able to join the bench against Brentford. He will likely be reinserted into the starting lineup this week.
Emil Krafth (knee) and Joe Willock (calf) won’t participate in their team’s Champions League debut, and Howe has acknowledged that Joelinton won’t be ready for Tuesday’s game because of the knee injury he sustained while playing for Brazil. A rested Alexander Isak should replace Wilson in the number nine position despite the latter’s successful penalty kick at the weekend. Even though Milan just qualified for the Champions League group stage due to Juventus’ 10-point deduction, the Rossoneri remain our small favorites to start their European season on a high note and ruin Newcastle’s San Siro celebration.
AC Milan 2 – 1 Newcastle
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