Three objectives to achieve: forget the bitter derby lost 5-1 against Inter, start again and debut with a success in this group stage of the Champions League. All missions, goals that Stefano Pioli’s Milan did not achieve this evening, as they did not recover after the surprising and rounded defeat against the Nerazzurri team in the championship. The debut match in Europe saw the Rossoneri face the Newcastle of a great former player like Sandro Tonali, a match that ended in a perfect 0-0 draw. In the first 20 minutes, the Milanese made six shots on target, never before in the last 20 years, as reported by Opt. Pope was always attentive and denied the goal to Via Aldo Rossi’s team. Debut match in the Champions League which already provides a precise indication of what the dynamics will be within Group F which will also have PSG and Borussia Dortmund as protagonists in the evening.
THE MATCH – Some lineup changes for Stefano Pioli who throws Chukwueze And Pobega from 1′. The first attempt for Milan is with Rafael Leao who attempts a shot from 30 metres, which ends up centrally in the hands of Pope. The goalkeeper of the Magpies he is the great protagonist of the first half, being called into question on repeated occasions. First on Pobega from distance, then miraculously up Giroud, sacrificing himself on a close range shot from the Frenchman. The Rossoneri raise the engine speed and try to break through the wall erected by them Magpies. Krunic from distance it worries Pope but it is Theo Hernandez to come close to taking the lead with a header from the following corner. Milan takes the field and comes close to making it 1-0 again with a close-range tap from Giroud that ends wide. Rafael Leao’s level also rises as he sows panic in the Newcastle defense but fails to find the final backheel, losing the moment on the conclusion. Pobega arrives on the rebound and shoots with first intention but is saved on the line by Murphy. At the end of the fraction, Calabria he is booked for protesting.
In the second half, Pioli immediately decided to replace the yellow carded Rossoneri captain: Alessandro came in in his place Florenzi. Timid reaction attempt by the English who try a conclusion with Tonali. The new ex-Roma substitute also tries with a shot from the edge that slowly ends up on the bottom. After an initial quarter of an hour with few ideas, Pioli relies on Pulisic And Reijnders in place of Chukwueze and Pobega. The Dutchman immediately becomes dangerous with an offensive slalom: the shot ends up in Pope’s hands too weak. The big opportunity arrives in the 74th minute with Leao who heads a cross from Florenzi: the ball ends up just over. Milan pushes but crashes into Newcastle’s wall who defends the draw with Anderson who rejects a double conclusion from Pulisic first and then Theo Hernandez. The Rossoneri continue to push but Pope neutralizes yet another Milan long-range shot, this time from Giroud. Reijnders also tries from outside but the ball ends up high. The last chance is for the Premier League team with Longstaff who finds attentive Sportiellowho took over from the injured man Maignan at the end.
MAIGNAN’S INJURY
