AC Milan and Newcastle United Draw in Champions League Return

 AC Milan and Newcastle United Draw in Champions League Return

AC Milan and Newcastle United Draw in Champions League Return(Image-Getty)

AC Milan was held to a goalless draw at San Siro in a closely contested match by a resurgent Newcastle United side, marking their return to the Champions League after a two-decade absence. The hosts squandered numerous opportunities in their Group F opener on Tuesday.

Rafael Leao, AC Milan's winger from Portugal, who had scored in his last two games, proved to be a constant threat down the left flank, keeping the Newcastle defense busy. However, his finishing let him down on multiple occasions.

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli expressed his disappointment, saying, "We're disappointed because when you play like this, you have to win. The performance was all-round good, but we wanted to win. Our aim is to progress from this group, and we wanted to start well. We didn't take easy chances."

Last year's Champions League semi-finalists began strongly, testing Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope with long-range attempts from Tommaso Pobega and Leao, followed by a saved header from Samuel Chukwueze.

The best chance of the first half came in the 34th minute when Leao, after eluding two defenders in the penalty area, miscued an elaborate backheel attempt.

While Newcastle improved defensively in the second half, AC Milan continued their quest for an opening goal.

In the 74th minute, substitute Alessandro Florenzi delivered an exquisite cross to Leao, who once again failed to find the target, sending his header over the bar.

AC Milan, who registered a total of 25 shots during the game, suffered a double injury blow when midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and goalkeeper Mike Maignan had to be substituted.

Newcastle United, on the other hand, mainly relied on counter-attacks and managed just one shot on target. It came in the 95th minute when Sean Longstaff forced substitute goalkeeper Marco Sportiello into a save from the edge of the area.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who had left Milan in the close season, expressed his satisfaction with the draw, saying, "It was emotional. We take this draw and point, a point we fought to get and we're happy about it."

The draw could prove challenging for both teams in a competitive group that includes French champions Paris St Germain and 1997 European Cup winners Borussia Dortmund, who faced off later on Tuesday.

AC Milan's next match will be against Dortmund in Germany, while Newcastle will host Kylian Mbappe's PSG at St James' Park.