AC MILAN v NEWCASTLE: THE BRIEFING

It's time to turn the page and think about the Champions League. On matchday 1 in a competitive Group F, Newcastle come to San Siro in what is a tricky fixture in a delicate moment. Let's try to decode the clash with Eddie Howe's Magpies in our in-depth analysis. 

GETTING PAST NEWCASTLE'S FIRST LINE OF PRESSURE
Eddie Howe's Newcastle is a very physical and athletic side with a clear identity: winning back possession high up the pitch and giving the opposition little time to rest. At the same time, the Magpies are also very good at breaking away quickly when they gain the ball back in their own half: this is thanks to the pace of players like Isak, Wilson and Almiron. Getting past this first line of pressing with some quick and accurate passing moves will be crucial in allowing AC Milan to attack directly with a numerical advantage over the visitor's defence who, with Botman and Schär, are very aggressive but can struggle against the speed of our forwards. 

DICTATING THE TEMPO OF THE GAME
Connecting to our previous point, it will be very important for the Rossoneri to impose the tempo of the game, with the right quality in possession and, above all, the right balance and distances between the  different departments. It is plausible to think that Newcastle will allow AC Milan the ball to then look for counter-attacks. As such, maneuvering the ball cleanly and efficiently will be vital in giving as little as possible away to the Magpies. It would be dangerous to let them dictate the tempo of the game because this is just one of their strongest and most dangerous weapons: physicality, high tempo and stamina. 

ATTENTION, EXPERIENCE AND THE WILL TO BOUNCE BACK
In a group of death, like the one drawn in Nyon, the Rossoneri have the fortune of opening up at home: Newcastle are back in Champions League action after 20 years, coming up against a strong side who have many new elements. Semi-finalists last season, AC Milan will need to count on some of their experience in the competition and technical aspects, making the most of the San Siro push: team and fans alike are keen to bounce back following the derby defeat at the weekend, an extra motivation for everyone. Despite being a strong and tricky opponent, the English do lack something compared to the Rossoneri on a technical and experience point of view. Attention will be needed, but also the ability to read and intepret the moments in the game. In a group that on paper looks evenly balanced, there's little error for margin.

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