Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan: ‘Magpies’ big aspirations were dashed by naiveté and injury.’
The banner, which ran the whole length of St James’ Park’s iconic Gallowgate End as Newcastle United emerged to a thundering scream, delivered a message of optimism and defiance. As the Champions League song played before this match against AC Milan, Newcastle’s players saw the words “It’s Not Beyond Our Wildest Dreams Because We Did Have Some Wild Dreams” to their right. Those were the words of renowned former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson, and for a few minutes either side of half-time, those wildest ambitions were not beyond the home team or their fans.
They were winning 1-0 against Milan thanks to Joelinton’s magnificent 33rd-minute strike, while Borussia Dortmund’s advantage over Paris St-Germain in Germany meant they were creeping into the last 16 ahead of the French champions on head-to-head results. Cut to the final whistle, and Newcastle’s inexperience and lack of enthusiasm had put those wild ambitions to rest until at least next season. Milan rallied to win 2-1 and send Eddie Howe’s team to the bottom of Group F, with no qualifying for the Europa League to console them.
It was a far cry from the emotional outpouring that surged around the Toon Army’s “The Cathedral On The Hill” in October. PSG were carried away by a tsunami of Tyneside emotion that night, losing 4-1 as Champions League football returned to St James’ Park for the first time in two decades.
Let us begin with the mitigating conditions. Newcastle were clearly hampered by injuries throughout the season, reducing their efficiency and numbers to the point that they appeared fatigued at the conclusion of their last three defeats against Everton, Tottenham, and Milan.
Newcastle, on the other hand, has a certain naivety and tactical flaws that mean they cannot simply blame their collapse on injuries. Yes, they cursed the woodwork towards the end of Newcastle’s home defeat to Borussia Dortmund, but it was a classic example of one team just being too streetwise and experienced for the other, a night when Newcastle’s lack of nous on and off the pitch at this level was exposed.
Dortmund had too much for Newcastle in Germany, while boss Howe will rue the contentious decision to give PSG a 98th-minute penalty in Paris for a long time. However, they were strategically short and unable to maintain possession, inviting pressure until disaster and tragedy occurred. PSG owned 72% of the ball and 31 shots. Howe may argue about margins, but the simple truth is that they finished last in a fairly tough group. On occasion, both players and manager have seemed precisely as they are (and this is not their fault; it is simply a statement of reality). They are Champions League newcomers, and it has shown against opponents that have been around the block a few times.
Injuries cannot be exploited to hide the truth that Newcastle were ultimately found insufficient at this level. As far as learning experiences go, it was severe, yet they did not give themselves full justice throughout the piece. There was a lack of measurement in their play at home. Newcastle’s signature is intensity, yet they are unable to slow down when game management is necessary. Campaigns like this should save this information for the future.
After Christian Pulisic equalised for Milan thanks to sloppy defending, Newcastle looked exhausted and disorganised, losing discipline and structure. Mike Maignan, the excellent Milan custodian, turned Bruno Guimaraes’ attempt against the frame of the goal, but the Italian visitors knew Newcastle were there for the taking.
Rafael Leao hit the post before Samuel Chukwueze scored the game-winning goal 68 seconds after coming on as a replacement. Fikayo Tomori, who heroically cleared off the line from Joelinton in the first half, also struck a post, and Milan were unable to capitalise on Newcastle goalie Martin Dubravka being left at the wrong end of the pitch towards the finish.
Newcastle fans, their ambitions crushed, expressed gratitude for their team’s efforts, but the final table revealed the story. Those who saw a genuinely spectacular night will remember the home triumph over PSG for the rest of their lives, but it was their only victory in six group games. If Newcastle does not finish in the top four this season, that triumph may have to sustain them for a while.
The painful realities of living at this high level will benefit Howe and his team. It will pique the interest of the club’s Saudi Arabian owners, who consider the Champions League as the most logical fit for their objectives. It is the location where those owners will someday expect to be, not aspire to be. The issue for Howe now is to repair what appears to be a shattered Newcastle squad so that those “wildest dreams” may be realised again next season following a dreadful conclusion to their Champions League comeback.