It’s been a season of big ups and downs for Newcastle United who enjoyed six huge Champions League games but were heartbroken to exit the competition in the final group game.
The Magpies came so close to qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds as Joelinton fired them 1-0 up against AC Milan, but the Italian side fought back to win the game and knock Newcastle out.
Speaking to Milan TV, defender Fikayo Tomori claimed that his block on the line from Miguel Almiron’s effort in the game was the ‘best’ moment of his career so far.
Tomori says Newcastle block is the highlight of his career
Whether it would have changed the outcome of the game is another matter given that it was 0-0 when Tomori ‘incredibly‘ cleared off the line, but it was still very impressive nonetheless.
The former Chelsea man who left for £25m had a brilliant game for the team who had played in last season’s semi-finals and was integral to helping his side qualify for the Europa League having finished third in the group of death.
Newcastle certainly rued their missed chances when they were on top of the game and could have had much more control, but ultimately they lacked experience and ruthlessness as they failed to see the game out.
Out of everyone, it will have been Almiron who was most disappointed after he had the chance to score a second iconic goal at St James’ Park in just a couple of months if only he’d thrown himself at the ball on the line.
On the block, Tomori said: “The one against Newcastle I think was my best of my career. At that moment I saw the development and I saw Almiron in front of me: I couldn’t get around him, so when I saw Joelinton kick, it was just a matter of predicting where the ball would go.
“I tried to put my foot to catch the ball first, and in the end I hit it the moment Almiron hit it. I was just trying to put a body part in to save the situation. Then we managed to win the game and that’s the most important thing.”
The Magpies are seeking another European dream
Having struggled in December and January with injuries and going on to see their Premier League form take a huge hit, Newcastle were facing a mid table finish this season.
However, things are starting to get back on track after a big win against Wolves at the weekend and the Geordies are now just a couple of points off of the Europa League positions which would still be considered a huge achievement.
Because of their very recent success it’s easy to forget that it was only a couple of years ago when this side were facing relegation to the Championship, so anything above that is merely a bonus.
Newcastle may have more success and exciting away trips in the Europa League anyway, though the money and attraction of the Champions League would have been huge for this upcoming summer window.
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