Mixed emotions as Tonali returns home: "My father will probably support Milan, and I come second!"

Football can serve up some Hollywood-esque scenarios for us who love a bit of drama entwined with the game itself. For Sandro Tonali, fate wanted him to go through a lot in just a few months. And as a result, he's set to play against the team he left just a few months ago.

Tonali's return to San Siro had its share of hiccups. Newcastle's flight to Italy was delayed due to stormy weather, so the lifelong Rossonero had four hours to sit in the airport and think about how his year had been going. The last time he stepped down in Milan was on the day when Zlatan Ibrahimovic bid farewell to football. Tonali's demeanour in the Milan press room - initially shy, almost frozen, then gradually more relaxed - is a testament to how challenging it is to return.

"There will be strong emotions, but I'll truly understand what it means to be back when I run out at San Siro pitch again."

When asked whose decision it was for him to leave, Sandro tried to sidestep the question, but in the end, it was clear that it wasn't his decision. Luckily for him, Newcastle turned out to be a good destination.

"It's unlikely that a player requests a transfer or can steer a negotiation.I talked a lot with the people who love Milan. I didn't wake up one morning and decided to do all of this alone. It wasn't easy to find my place at Newcastle at first, but I have found people who supported me since the very beginning, and they are still helping me. After the first match, I felt at ease. I was happier thanks to the help of Mr Eddie Howe and the whole staff. They really helped me out. My teammates have been amazing, especially with the language. At the beginning, I was kind of lost. But it is getting easier, and I'm very happy."

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His father, Giandomenico has been a San Siro season ticket holder for several years. And Sandro isn't entirely sure whether his dad would support him!

"I don't know who he will support. I hope he will support me but it's very difficult to change a supporter's mind about their team. I think he will support Milan and support me. Maybe he will want a draw?"

Tonali will start for Newcastle as the Magpies make their first Champions League appearance since 2003. Incidentally, their last game in the competition also came at this legendary stadium - albeit against Inter.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke highly of the Italian midfielder from the first day he arrived. He said he "fell in love with the player" last season while watching one of Milan's Champions League fixtures. And when he faced the press in Italy, Howe had nothing but praise for Tonali.

"He's really committed to Newcastle. Living there, the language and everything we wanted him to do. It's very difficult to transfer from another country. I really like him as a person. He is serious about his game, which I like. He's a leader. Excited for what he can be for us - both now and in the future."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Tuesday

19.45: (2.55) Milan (3.50) Newcastle (2.85)

19.45: (5.20) Young Boys (4.00) RB Leipzig (1.65)

22.00: (1.63) Feyenoord (4.00) Celtic (6.25)

22.00: (3.05) Lazio (3.35) Atl.Madrid (2.50)

22.00: (1.75) PSG (3.60) Dortmund (4.90)

22.00: (1.10) Man.City (13.0) Crvena Zvezda (35.0)

22.00: (1.20) Barcelona (7.75) Antwerp (16.0)

22.00: (4.70) Shakhtar (3.70) Porto (1.85)

Wednesday

19.45: (1.63) Galatasaray (4.00) Copenhagen (6.25)

19.45: (1.40) Real Madrid (5.00) Union Berlin (9.00)

22.00: (1.58) Bayern (4.30) Man.Utd. (6.25)

22.00: (1.40) Arsenal (5.30) PSV (8.00)

22.00: (1.95) Sevilla (3.60) Lens (4.20)

22.00: (4.50) Braga (3.60) Napoli (1.90)

22.00: (1.45) Benfica (4.80) Salzburg (8.00)

22.00: (3.20) Sociedad (3.40) Inter (2.40)

***odds are subject to change