{"id":35404,"date":"2023-12-14T14:24:08","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T14:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/milan-end-newcastle-dreams-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-14T14:24:08","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T14:24:08","slug":"milan-end-newcastle-dreams-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/milan-end-newcastle-dreams-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Milan end Newcastle dreams | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nNEWCASTLE:
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Newcastle were left “devastated” after Samuel Chukwueze’s late winner sent the Magpies crashing out of Europe with a 2-1 defeat by AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Victory was not enough for last season’s semi-finalists to progress as Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-1 draw away to Borussia Dortmund was enough for the French champions to secure second place in Group F.<\/p>\n

But Milan did snatch at least the consolation of a place in the Europa League away from the Magpies, whose first Champions League campaign in 20 years ended in disappointment.<\/p>\n

Ravaged by a lengthy list of injuries, fatigue has taken its toll on Newcastle, who have now lost three consecutive games in all competitions.<\/p>\n

“We gave everything to the match. I can’t ask for anything more (in terms of) commitment, effort, physical exertion. Unfortunately for us it wasn’t to be,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Probably not our best technical performance but we did create chances on the night. We’re devastated not to go through.”<\/p>\n

Howe had been forced to name the same 10 outfield players for the previous five games due to a lack of options and he pointed to a lack of strength in depth for his side’s failure to build on a brilliant start to the group.<\/p>\n

After drawing 0-0 in Milan, Newcastle thrashed PSG 4-1 at home.<\/p>\n

But they took just one point from their final four games to finish bottom of the group.<\/p>\n

“The value of the squad, that’s what exposed us,” added Howe. “We haven’t had the ability to utilise the squad we created, that’s been a big frustration for us.”<\/p>\n

Milan have also been hamstrung by an injury crisis and under-fire coach Stefano Pioli bemoaned not having taken their chances earlier in the group.<\/p>\n

“We’re disappointed to have ended our run in the Champions League,” said Pioli. “We knew the group was tough but I believe we deserved more — we should have taken our chances in the other games.”<\/p>\n

Fikayo Tomori was the only fit central defender available to Pioli and saved his side from falling behind early on.<\/p>\n

The England international produced a stunning last-ditch tackle on his own goal-line to prevent Miguel Almiron tapping home Joelinton’s cross.<\/p>\n

But Newcastle’s pressure was met with some reward before half-time in a spectacular opening goal.<\/p>\n

Anthony Gordon surged through the Milan midfield and played in Lewis Miley, who laid the ball back to Joelinton to fire a sweet strike into the top corner.<\/p>\n

Newcastle needed to win and hope PSG did not in Dortmund to go through.<\/p>\n

An already electric atmosphere was intensified at the start of the second half as news of Dortmund’s opener against PSG filtered through to the home support.<\/p>\n

However, two goals in a matter of minutes turned the complexion of a gripping Group F once more.<\/p>\n

PSG equalised in Germany before Milan also got back on level terms.<\/p>\n

Newcastle failed to deal with Rafael Leao’s cross from the left and Olivier Giroud set up Christian Pulisic to drill home on his return to England.<\/p>\n

The game raged from end-to-end in the final stages with a draw no good for either side.<\/p>\n

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a stunning save to turn Bruno Guimaraes’ shot onto the bar.<\/p>\n

At the other end, Leao should have buried Newcastle’s Champions League dreams when he hit the post with just Martin Dubravka to beat.<\/p>\n

However, Milan were more ruthless with their next opportunity as substitute Chukwueze curled brilliantly into the far corner six minutes from time.<\/p>\n

The Italians should have added to their advantage in stoppage time as a stretched Newcastle became increasingly bedraggled.<\/p>\n

Theo Hernandez missed an open goal after Dubravka had gone forward for a corner.<\/p>\n

Tomori then sprinted forward on the counter-attack to hit the post.<\/p>\n

But Milan did their job on the night, if not over the course of the group, to at least ensure they have European football to look forward to in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n