AC Milan (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
Writing this preview feels like a pinch me moment in itself. Exactly two years ago, we had just drawn 1-1 with Leeds at St James' Park, keeping Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley's Newcastle United winless and without hope just weeks into the new season.
Fast forward a few years and everything has changed. After our thoroughly deserved top-four finish under Eddie Howe, we return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years, kicking off with an iconic trip to the San Siro to play last year's semi finalists, AC Milan.
Eddie Howe and the squad actually arrived late in Italy, with the flight delayed due to heavy storms in Italy, but that didn't stop the Toon Army painting the city black and white on Monday night.
It feels surreal but so exciting. I just hope we play with no fear and do ourselves justice. Saturday's win wasn't pretty, but it was exactly what we needed, giving us a much-needed lift ahead of our second game in four days. Milan are in the same boat, yet they'll be the side under pressure, arriving on the back of a 5-1 defeat to fierce rivals Inter Milan just as we won at St James' Park.
There's plenty subplots, too. Sandro Tonali back at his boyhood club following a £55m summer move, Sven Botman against the club he turned down in favour of a move to Tyneside. 20 years on from Alan Shearer's famous brace under Sir Bobby, who'll be the hero at the San Siro this time?
Whether you're in the stadium singing your heart out or sat on your sofa at home, we'll feel proud, excited and pretty emotional when that Champions League anthem plays!
Team news
Joelinton (knee) has been ruled out for a 'few weeks', but Sandro Tonali has been passed fit and looks set to return to the squad after he was an unused substitute on Saturday. Joe Willock (Achilles) and Emil Krafth remain out, however.
For the hosts, Fikayo Tomori is back from a ban after missing their drubbing to Inter, but fellow defender Pierre Kalulu and holding midfielder Ismaël Bennacer look set to be absent.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Tonali – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
After rests over the weekend, I fully expect Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Miguel Almiron to return to the side.
Elliot Anderson played the full 90 for the first time in the Premier League against Brentford, so it makes total sense for Tonali to replace him. Callum Wilson was our matchwinner and held up the ball superbly at times, but he trained on his own on Monday morning and will make way for Isak; who has the sort of pace and trickery to trouble Milan's usually high line.
On the left, Howe has a few options. Does he start the in-form Anthony Gordon, summer signing Harvey Barnes - who was the one played subbed off on Saturday - or the rested Jacob Murphy? Gordon has started every game this season and looked shattered when the full-time whistle went on Saturday, but he also looks to be one of our fittest players and capable of going again. Based on this, I can see him playing the first hour before one of Barnes or Murphy comes on.
Predicted AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Theo; Loftus-Cheek, Krunić, Pobega; Chukwueze, Giroud, Leão.
One to watch: Rafael Leao - The Portuguese international is one of the most feared left wingers in world football, possessing the pace, skill, power and quality to cause chaos. He'll be flanked by marauding French international Theo Hernandez, meaning our right side of Almiron, Longstaff and Trippier could have their hands full.
Prediction
In many ways, we're going into unknown territory here. A first for Eddie Howe, a first for so many Toon fans travelling to Milan and a first for the likes of Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff, Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron.
It will be tough, but I back us to just about cope with the atmosphere, occasion and opposition; who could be wounded animals after Saturday's heavy defeat to Inter. Their left side is superb and Olivier Giroud must be managed carefully, but we have the pace at the other end to cause them big problems.
Isak to score in a game of goals at the San Siro, sending us into home games with PSG and Borussia Dortmund with a precious point!
Prediction: AC Milan 2-2 Newcastle
HWTL!
