AC Milan vs Newcastle - afterthoughts

AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle United

San Siro, Milan, Italy

First game in the Champions' League in 20.5 years and we've picked up where we left off... with a draw at the San Siro. The game itself wasn't much to write home about but, considering Milan's dominance, I have to say I thought Newcastle played well, based on expectation of this particular fixture.

First half, Newcastle actually shaded the possession (54%) but didn't really try to create much, and ended up with only 2 shots for the half, to Milan's 15, 11 of which were in the box. According to SofaScore, Milan had 3 "big chances" in the half and, if I can recall which 3 they're talking about accurately, we absolutely have Nick Pope (with 6 first-half saves) to thank for keeping them at bay. Krunić, Chukwueze and Giroud all tested our keeper but he was equal to everything, showing the kind of positioning, focus, and quick reactions that endeared him to the fans when he first joined the club.

The rest of the side were arguably a bit shaky in the first half, though Tonali, Bruno, Isak and Gordon all showed good fight, winning the ball in the high press and trying to create something. IMO, the main reason we weren't able to get past them was the fact we were arguably playing against the best defence in the group (Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori and Theo) and they seemed like an impenetrable wall for most of the game, despite our pace advantage.

In the second half, we only allowed 5 shots from inside the box which was a marked improvement, and Nick Pope only had to make two saves in the half. That said, Milan's finishing was poor and they certainly should've done better with one or two chances. Bruno fell off a bit, as did Isak, Murphy and Gordon; the latter three were subbed off for Miggy Almiron (Murphy, 63), Callum Wilson (Gordon, 63) and Harvey Barnes (Isak, 90). Anderson also came on, for Milanese revenant Sandro Tonali, on 72. We certainly looked better with Wilson in the middle (and Isak left until he went off)... that said, we didn't attack much, and Longstaff's effort on 95 minutes would've been a proper smash-and-grab if it hadn't been well-saved by substitute goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.

All-in-all, a truly magnificent defensive performance, especially in the second half; the player ratings only a bit diminished because, while passing success was high throughout most of the game, the passes that might've actually led to something were all errant and, to me, it was very clear that we were missing both Joelinton and Willock (ie. even if they'd not started, I'd like to think the midfield would've painted a different picture had either made an appearance). If that's the worst game we play, we'll get through the group, no problem. Pretty sure most of us would've bitten hands off for a clean sheet at the San Siro; couldn't be happier with a point from our first game (especially as it gives me 2 points in the Scorecast).

Player ratings:

Nick Pope - 8.3 (Player of the Match)

Kieran Trippier - 7.8

Fabian Schär - 7.2

Sven Botman - 7.3

Dan Burn - 7.2

Bruno Guimarães - 6.8

Sean Longstaff - 7.5

Sandro Tonali - 7.4

Jacob Murphy - 6.7

Alexander Isak - 6.5

Anthony Gordon - 6.7

Miguel Almirón - 7.0

Callum Wilson - 6.7

Elliot Anderson - 7.0

Harvey Barnes - N/A (subbed on 90th minute)