George Caulkin shares what the Newcastle dressing room are saying about playing AC Milan at SJP

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Newcastle United kicked off their Champions League campaign away to AC Milan on Tuesday night, and learned a thing or two about competing in Europe’s premier competition.

The Magpies were second best in every department according to AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, and the stats will back him up. The only thing Newcastle were better at was defending, and that was simply because they had to do more of it.

AC Milan deserved to win, but they were kept at bay by a valiant and resilient Toon side who could not be breached. The 0-0 draw was hard fought, and should prove to be a very valuable point.

But Tuesday night was a little bit of a reality check for some fans. While it was a great result, we were up against it for large parts. AC Milan were a class above, with the Newcastle players struggling to create many chances.

However, Eddie Howe’s side will be a different beast at home, and it is the games at St James’ Park that will define our Champions League campaign.

Now a comment from the Athletic’s George Caulkin hints at a prediction from inside the Newcastle dressing room for the return fixture against the Rossoneri.

George Caulkin on the Newcastle dressing room

Caulkin, who is massively respected by Toon fans, has appeared on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, where he spoke about how the Newcastle players feel about facing AC Milan at St James’ Park.

“The way that I would look at it, and a feeling which I know is reflected in the dressing room, is that they think they will beat AC Milan at home,” he said.

Newcastle vs AC Milan at St James’ Park will be special

Newcastle face AC Milan at St James’ Park on December 13th, in what will be their final game of the group stage. Depending on what happens between now and then, that could be a decisive fixture to determine who advances to the next round.

If Newcastle have a sniff of qualifying, the Toon players will smell blood. They are already looking forward to playing Milan at home, and that excitement will only increase if there is a chance that it ends with qualification.

Playing in the Champions League at St James’ Park is going to be special, and it will give the Magpies an edge that they do not have on the road in Europe.

But while the Toon dressing room thinks they can beat Milan at SJP, there is a long time before that fixture.