Newcastle United are heading to the San Siro on Tuesday night, where they will face AC Milan in the Champions League.
That sentence feels unfathomable when you think back to to where we were just two years ago, but the transformation is real and Newcastle are going to compete in the Champions League against one of European football’s most historic clubs.
Not only that, but they will arrive at the San Siro with a £55million midfielder – the second most expensive player in Newcastle United’s history.
Sandro Tonali is set to start for the Magpies, as he returns to the club Newcastle bought him from just a few months ago.
The 23-year-old issued an emotional goodbye to AC Milan during the summer transfer window, shocking the Italian side as he decided to take his talents to the Premier League.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
It was a very surprising transfer for Tonali, and now fate will take him back to his former home at the earliest opportunity.
You never know how a former player is going to be treated by the fans when they return home. Sometimes they are applauded, sometimes they are booed. It depends on the player and the circumstances.
But for Tonali, he has nothing to worry about.
Sandro Tonali to get a positive reaction from AC Milan fans
According to Italian outlet Gazzetta, there is no hatred for Tonali following his decision to leave AC Milan and join Newcastle.
They state that Tonali will be applauded by the home fans when he comes out onto the pitch on Tuesday night.
In contrast, Gazzetta believe that Gianluigi Donnarumma will get a very different response from the fans when he returns with Paris Saint-Germain later in the competition.
For Tonali, it is great to know that he will not be booed on his return to the San Siro. That will probably reduce some of the anxiety surrounding the game.
With the midfielder set to get a positive reaction from the thousands in attendance, Tonali can focus fully on his performance, as he prepares to return to the Newcastle starting XI after sitting out the 1-0 win against Brentford on Saturday.