Newcastle left the San Siro with what could prove to be a vital point after holding a dominant AC Milan to a 0-0 draw in their first Champions League game for over 20 years.
2023/2024 UEFA Champions League
0-0
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
13' Giroud's shot stopped!
17' Long shot from Krunic
31' CLOSE! Giroud’s shot wide out
40' Yellow Card! Calabria booked
52' Florenzi’s shot wide out
70' Loftus-Cheek subbed off with leg injury
73' CHANCE! Leao's header over the bar
78' Injured! Maignan is stretchered off
82' Yellow Card! Yunus Musah booked
83' Yellow Card! Giroud booked
Match Report
After qualifying for the group stages for the first time since the 2002/03 season, Eddie Howe's side were rewarded with a place in Group F, alongside European luminaries Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, as well as last year's semi-finalists Milan.
Eddie Howe's side soaked up tonnes of pressure as Rafa Leao, Olivier Giroud, and Samuel Chukwueze all went close for the hosts at the San Siro.
Milan dominated in the shots department as Newcastle only troubled in brief flashes through the likes of Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy.
However, Newcastle defended resolutely, and as Milan launched more aerial balls to break the visitors down, the visitors dug in to earn a first point in this year's Champions League.
Milan ended the game with an expected goals total of 2.06 but no actual goals, with Rafael Leao, Tommaso Pobega and Olivier Giroud all guilty of spurning chances.
Such a daunting draw means any points collected away from St James' Park are to be cherished - even if they come as a result of gritty defending and opposition wastefulness.
Perhaps overawed on such a huge night for the club, Newcastle were second best throughout and only registered their first shot on target in second-half stoppage time. A more punchy performance surely awaits when PSG visit Tyneside next month.
Line-ups
Milan XI: Giroud, Maignan, Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Calabria, Tomori, Theo, Samuel Chukwueze, Tommaso Pobega, Leao, Malick Thiaw
Subs: Kjaer, Mirante, Florenzi, Sportiello, Jovic, Pulisic, Yacine Adli, Noah Okafor, Tijjani Reijnders, Yunus Musah, Davide Bartesaghi
Newcastle XI: Trippier, Schar, Burn, Pope, J.Murphy, Guimaraes, Isak, Sean Longstaff, Tonali, Gordon, Sven Botman
Subs: Callum Wilson, Lascelles, Loris Karius, Dummett, Almiron, Targett, Elliot Anderson, Barnes, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Aidan Harris, Lewis Miley