Newcastle United battled hard to win a point against AC Milan on Tuesday night, but something was missing from the Magpies’ performance in the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s side had to defend really well to get a 0-0 draw at the San Siro, with Nick Pope producing save after save to preserve his clean sheet.
It will hopefully prove to be a valuable point for Newcastle, but Howe will be disappointed with some aspects of his side’s performance.
The Magpies were poor in possession at times, and really struggled to create chances at the San Siro. Newcastle only had one major moment in the final third, and that came in stoppage time when Sean Longstaff’s strike was tipped over the bar.
Tuesday night was all about defending and hanging on for Newcastle, as they kicked off their Champions League campaign with a point.
They will be happy with the result, but perhaps not the performance. And now former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has suggested what was missing from the Magpies’ display.
Jesse Marsch thinks Newcastle will be happy with a point against AC Milan
Marsch spoke about Newcastle’s performance against AC Milan on CBS Sports inside the San Siro after the final whistle.
“I think that’s one of the most difficult places to play in the Prem,” he said.
“Certainly at home they have confidence, they play with more power. That’s what I was most surprised about with Newcastle tonight. We didn’t see a true Newcastle performance where they went after the opponent, where they were winning duels and where they were dangerous from set pieces.
“But when you come on the road in the Champions League and you come to tough places to play, getting a point is always a good thing.”
Champions League games at St James’ Park will be different
Newcastle did lack that typical intensity at times. We saw Howe’s side try to press AC Milan in the first half, but it just wasn’t working. Given Milan’s quality on the ball and the size of the pitch, they were able to stretch Newcastle and get out of tight situations with ease.
While it may not have been a ‘true Newcastle performance’ on Tuesday night, it was one that was full of heart, and the Magpies deserve their point.
Now their attention will turn to St James’ Park, where they play their next two Champions League games. The home fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund could define our campaign, on a stage where Newcastle are a different beast.
We hung on at the San Siro, but that will hopefully not be the case at St James’ Park.
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