UCL: Newcastle hails Pope after securing first points of the campaign

Twenty minutes into the opening match of the new Champions League season, the AC Milan fans already forgot the 5-1 humiliation from Inter a few days ago. They were playing great; they were all over Newcastle, and they just saw five fantastic chances saved by the Magpies’ keeper Pope. It was just a matter of time before their beloved team would score. But, after 20 years of absence, Newcastle United survived at San Siro; they endured constant attacks, they hailed Nick Pope and earned their first point: AC Milan – Newcastle 0-0.

Twenty-five-four total shots (nine on target) were still not enough to get a victory against the best Premier League defence in 2022-23. Pope was brilliant, but some chances were missed because of AC Milan’s players, not the English keeper. Coach Pioli will surely be happy with this display after a 5-1 loss to Inter, but this was a missed opportunity for Rossoneri, considering they played at home against an experienced team, and they are in the group of ‘death’ with PSG and Borussia. This was their best chance of earning three points. On the other side, the Magpies earned a valuable point, but with this kind of display, they will be left dead last in Group F without any wins. A more significant improvement is needed.

Apart from the first 10 minutes of the game, AC Milan was all over Newcastle. At times, it looked like Rossoneri were playing in Serie A with the likes of Empoli or Salernitana; that’s how inexperienced Magpies looked like. Even Milan's favourite son Sandro Tonali, who plays for Newcastle now and who got a big applause from the San Siro crowd, looked lost. Almost every attack was a chance. Nick Pope had his day and saved Newcastle in the first half from getting slaughtered. The England international saved five good chances in the space of 20 minutes after shots from Pobega, Chukwueze, Giroud, Hernandez and Leao. The speedy winger who replaced Pulišić in the starting lineup was too quick for two meters high Dan Burn, and did whatever he wanted on the right wing. Leao came storming to the Newcastle penalty area, dribbled four English players and then fell over his own feet. The ball came to Pobega, who took another shot, but it was saved on the goal line. Somehow, Newcastle finished the half with an empty net, and all was different in the second 45 minutes. Milan still had the advantage, but there were ‘only’ two chances in this part of the game. Reijnders came from the bench and took a shot in 64 minutes, but Pope saved it. Then Florenzi crossed the ball perfectly for Leao, but his header was just off the target. In the end, Milan had to chance keepers since Mike Maignan got injured, but Newcastle didn’t use that simply because they couldn’t create any chances. The only shot on target for the Magpies came in the 94th minute, but Sportiello pushed the ball into the corner.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Tuesday

Milan - Newcastle 0-0

Young Boys - RB Leipzig 1-3 (1-1)

/Elia 33 - Simakan 3, Xaver 73, Sesko 92/

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