NEWCASTLE v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

To book a late ticket to the Champions League round of 16 a win is the only option. The meeting at St James' Park is one between two teams on a less-than-stellar run of form, and who are dreaming of a turnaround on a goosebump-inducing night. It's 90 minutes that could end in joy or disappointment. Champions League, Europa League, or nothing: this is the situation that awaits the Rossoneri when they take on the Magpies on this final, decisive matchday in Group F. As we wait for kick-off at 21:00 CET, let's read up on the game with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Anything but a win would guarantee the Rossoneri's exit from Europe, as a draw would see Newcastle qualify for the Europa League. A win may not even be enough to qualify for the Round of 16. The main thing for AC Milan is just to fight until the end and focus on taking all three points. We cannot get drawn into making calculations because, in the other game in the group, Dortmund will want to close out the group stage with a win; PSG; meanwhile, only need a draw to go through but a win would take them above BVB into first place. It's still all to play for and Stefano Pioli will turn to his key men. Rafa Leão and Noah Okafor are back and available; the starting line-up should be similar to the one seen against Atalanta in Serie A.

"We have a single objective and one chance. We want to win the match," said Coach Pioli on the eve of the game. "We're certainly aware of the importance of the match and remaining in Europe; this is the first real crossroads of the season. We're all expecting to perform really well against a very tough side to face. They've beaten many fantastic sides at home."

LATEST FROM NEWCASTLE
Much like AC Milan, Newcastle United also lost away from home last time out in the league: 4-1 to Tottenham, which followed the 3-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park. Eddie Howe's team are also level on point with the Rossoneri in Group F (5), but ahead on goal difference. As such, a draw tonight means the Magpies would finish third. The Toon are, however, very tough to beat and score hatfuls at home, having already beaten PSG, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea within their own four walls this season. However, they also have a long list of absences to contend with. Pope, Botman, Burn, Anderson, Murphy and Barnes will miss tomorrow's game after having played in the reverse fixture, as well as the suspended Tonali.

"We want Newcastle v AC Milan to be a magic Champions League night," said Eddie Howe in his pre-match press conference. "We've worked hard to be here and will do everything we can to try and win and make the knockouts. We have a lot of injuries and respect our opponents, but we're also confident and, with the support of our fans, can produce a big performance."

PRE-MATCH STATS

• The Rossoneri have the biggest difference between goals scored and xG in the competition this season (-4.9: 3 goals scored and an xG of 7.9).
• In the first five matchdays of the 2023/24 Champions League, AC Milan are the team with the highest percentage of passes that beat the opposition's defensive line (15.4%), Theo Hernández is the player to have made the highest number of passes of this type in the current campaign (41).
• AC Milan's Rafael Leão (54) is one of just three players to have completed 50+ dribbles in the Champions League since the start of last season, alongside Vinícius Júnior and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Portuguese winger also has the highest percentage of completed dribbles of those three players (55.7%).

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN ON TV
In Italy, Newcastle v AC Milan will be shown on Amazon Prime Video at 21:00 CET. Starting at 19:30 CET, until kick-off, there will be all the build-up on Milan TV's Matchday. After the game, we will have interviews and Stefano Pioli's post-match conference.

LATEST FROM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Group F matchday 6: Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain kicks off at the same time as Newcastle United v AC Milan (21:00 CET). The group as it stands: Borussia Dortmund 10, Paris Saint-Germain 7, Newcastle and AC Milan 5.

REFEREE
Dutchman Danny Makkiele will take charge of the game at St James' Park. The experienced referee has officiated games involving the Rossoneri on two occasions: AC Milan v Liverpool (2021) and Chelsea v AC Milan (2022). Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries will be his assistants and Allard Lindhout the game's fourth official. Rob Dieperink is on VAR duty, assisted by Clay Ruperti.

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