Newcastle United vs AC Milan
Don’t miss the full replay and highlights of the Newcastle United vs AC Milan match. This exciting game is part of the UEFA Champions League 2023/2024, Group F – Matchday 6. The action starts at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023. The referee for the match is Danny Desmond Makkelie from the Netherlands, and the game will take place at St. James’ Park, Newcastle United upon Tyne.
Newcastle United vs AC Milan Full Match Reports
Newcastle United and AC Milan bowed out of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) at the group stage, despite the Rossoneri’s 2-1 triumph at St James’ Park, marking the end of a five-match winless run away from home in Europe’s premier cup competition.
St James’ Park pulsated with a cauldron of noise as the Geordie faithful played their part on a potentially pivotal night in Newcastle’s season. Their destiny hung partly on events in Dortmund, but the hosts were putting in all the effort to force an early opening goal. Kieran Trippier unleashed an early strike from a free-kick that soared over the bar. Rossoneri defender Fikayo Tomori then delivered a sensational tackle to thwart Miguel Almirón’s tap-in from Joelinton’s cut-back.
It was Joelinton, the Brazilian striker, who stylishly broke the deadlock with 33 minutes on the clock, taking a touch and unleashing a ferocious finish past Mike Maignan. This propelled the Magpies into second place, edging past Paris Saint-Germain thanks to the head-to-head rule, while the French side was still locked in a goalless stalemate in Germany heading into halftime.
The feel-good atmosphere heightened on Tyneside after the break with news of Karim Adeyemi’s opener against PSG, pushing Newcastle a point clear of the French champions. Warren Zaïre-Emery’s equalizer narrowed the Magpies’ advantage back to the head-to-head rule in the first part of a double blow for Howe’s side. Christian Pulisic leveled the scores just shy of the hour mark from close range, expertly set up by Olivier Giroud in the box. It was a significant dampener on the atmosphere as Newcastle dropped back to the third spot they occupied before kick-off.
Bruno Guimarães believed he had restored the hosts’ advantage from distance but was denied when Maignan superbly tipped his long-range strike onto the bar. The anguish on Howe’s face was evident when Callum Wilson miscued his attempt from Tino Livramento’s cross. However, it could have been much worse moments later as Rafael Leão only managed to hit the post in a one-on-one with Martin Dúbravka. Milan, always threatening on the break, turned the match on its head through Samuel Chukwueze’s excellent finish at the end of a blistering counter-attack. Stefano Pioli’s side moved into third place but sat behind PSG on the head-to-head rule.
There would be no further drama on a night packed with excitement on Tyneside as the Magpies succumbed to a third consecutive defeat across all competitions. This defeat will sting much more, given their European adventure concludes before Christmas. Meanwhile, Milan showcased impressive resilience and now have UEFA Europa League football as a consolation prize heading into the New Year.
Man of the Match: Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).