ROSSONERI FIGHT BACK TO WIN 2-1 AT NEWCASTLE

Winning wasn't enough to go through in the Champions League but it does mean that we will be playing Europa League football in 2024. AC Milan couldn't have done anything more today: they came from behind to beat Newcastle United 2-1 thanks to second-half goals from Pulisic and Chukwueze (Joelinton with the opener for the hosts). However, the 1-1 draw between Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain - which saw both teams progress - made qualification to the Round of 16 impossible as the Rossoneri finished level on eight points with PSG, but with a negative goal difference in the head-to-head. The Rossoneri finished third in a rock-hard group.

It's hard to summarise a night that was in equal parts bitter as it was sweet. It hurts when you look back and see the draws to start the group campaign or the defeat at home before tonight's display at St. James' Park. There are regrets but football was ever thus. The Diavolo went into it needing a result elsewhere to go their way and in the end, it's only a half satisfactory outcome. Yet we do need to look at it with optimism as we have a new competition on the horizon (playoff draw next Monday), in which we can be key players, with a squad that is showing plenty of signs of life. AC Milan are back in action in the lunchtime kick-off on Sunday 17 December when they host Monza at San Siro in Serie A.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM NEWCASTLE v AC MILAN

THE MATCH
Newcastle were responsive and aggressive from the off, and gave their first warning sign after six minutes through Trippier’s free-kick that went just over. Following Schär’s fanciful effort from way out, Tomori saved an almost definite goal on 20 minutes: Joelinton poking the ball past an onrushing Maignan, with Fik sliding back to steer the ball away from the goalline and out for a corner in the 20th minute, as Almirón looked destined to tap into an open net from just a yard out. AC Milan were struggling to get into their passing game and attack, despite a big chance for Leão after 24 minutes, who shot well wide from inside the box with his right. It was a one-off, though, because on 26' Maignan had to be alert to keep out Almirón’s header. And the Rossoneri keeper was then blameless for the English side’s opener in the 33rd minute: Miley passing to Joelinton, who blasted home high into the net from inside the box. The reaction didn’t arrive and the half petered out with no action of note.

The English team also started the second half brightly, with shots for Wilson and Gordon both unsuccessful. In the 59th minute, a sudden equaliser came after a scrappy bit of play: Leão crossed, Tomori sliced the ball, Giroud teed it up and Pulisic slotted home past Dúbravka from a few yards out. It came as a shock, but without any particular follow-up as the home side stepped things up again: Isak tried his luck on 67’, and then Guimarães' shot was wonderfully saved by Maignan, tipping the ball onto the bar after 69’. The woodwork was once again struck, this time the post, by Leão after 79' when clean through on goal. It seemed like a smack in the face, but instead it was the turning point. Subs at the end - Jović, Okafor and Chukwueze – made the desired effect. In the 84th minute, Okafor drove forward, supported by Jović, and played in Chukwueze, whose sweetly struck left-footed shot sailed perfectly into the far corner for the lead. Deep in stoppage-time, Tomori had a huge chance, but his clean strike smacked against the post. It ended 2-1 to us.

MATCH DETAILS

NEWCASTLE 1-2 AC MILAN

NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dúbravka; Trippier (63' Burn), Lascelles, Schär, Livramento; Miley (71' Longstaff), Guimarães, Joelinton; Almirón, Wilson, Gordon (62' Isak). Subs: Harrison, Karius; Dummett, Hall; Longstaff. Coach: Howe.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Hernández, Florenzi; Loftus-Cheek (73' Pobega), Reijnders, Musah (83' Chukwueze); Pulisic (73' Jović), Giroud (83' Okafor), Leão (88' Bartesaghi). Subs: Mirante, Nava; Nsiala; Adli, Krunić; Traorè. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED).
Goals: 33' Joelinton (N), 59' Pulisic (M), 84' Chukwueze (M).
Booked: 40' Leão (M), 46' Maignan (M), 72' Joelinton (N), 78' Jović (M), 80' Musah (M), 90' Florenzii (M).

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