Can Newcastle Exploit AC Milan’s Struggles on English Soil in Champions League?
Given that Newcastle’s chances of making it out of the Champions League depend on winning, what chance does AC Milan’s performance in England give United to fulfil their half of the contract tomorrow night?
The reason is that, going into their last group match at St. James’ Park tomorrow night, Eddie Howe’s fatigued players should draw some fresh energy from history. In fact, they might find themselves keeping tabs on developments in Dortmund when they get back to work.
It would be an understatement to suggest that AC Milan’s performance in this country is lacklustre. It’s so bad, in fact, that tomorrow night Newcastle can take inspiration from a team now in League One.
Their only hope of survival in their first season in Europe’s top competition for two decades now lies in defeating PSG in Dortmund and winning against Milan on matchday six of Group F. Kylian Mbappe’s controversial late penalty in Paris two weeks ago denied the Magpies a historic victory and left their fate out of their own hands.
In the event that Dortmund fails to deliver, Newcastle would have to avoid losing to the Rossoneri in order to secure the third place in the group and go to the Europa League knockout stage.
Although Newcastle has been exhausted in their past two dreadful away Premier League games against Everton and Tottenham, Milan also appears quite weak when they visit to Tyneside. Their track record in this nation appears to be even worse.
That album? 22 European games in England, and one (ONE) victory. That occurred in 2005, when Milan, who was then coached by Carlo Ancelotti, triumphed due to a goalkeeping gaffe by Roy Carroll.
And Milan’s only European victory overall in 12 years versus English teams came in the first leg of their round of 16 matchup with Spurs at San Siro last season. This success followed a record of eight losses in nine games against Premier League opponents.
Milan has suffered defeats at the hands of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool since that night in 2005. Sadly, they also required a late comeback to beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.
Thus, hope never dies for Howe and his men.
MILAN’S RECORD IN ENGLAND:
March 8, 2023 – Champions League: 0-0 at Tottenham DREW
October 5, 2022 – Champions League: 0-2 at Chelsea LOST
September 15, 2021 – Champions League: 2-3 at Liverpool LOST
March 11, 2021 – Europa League: 1-1 at Man United DREW
March 15, 2018 – Europea League: 1-3 at Arsenal LOST
March 6, 2012 – Champions League: 0-3 at Arsenal LOST
March 9, 2011 – Champions League: 0-0 at Tottenham DREW
March 10, 2010 – Champions League: 0-4 at Man United LOST
November 27, 2008 – UEFA Cup: 2-2 at Portsmouth DREW
February 20, 2008 – Champions League: 0-0 at Arsenal DREW
April 24, 2007 – Champions League: 2-3 at Man United LOST
February 23, 2005 – Champions League: 1-0 at Man United WON
September 19, 2000 – Champions League: 0-1 at Leeds LOST
September 15, 1999 – Champions League: 0-0 at Chelsea DREW
February 1, 1995 – European Super Cup: 0-0 at Arsenal DREW
December 6, 1978 – UEFA Cup – 0-3 at Man City LOST
September 17, 1975 – UEFA Cup: 0-0 at Everton DREW
April 5, 1972 – UEFA Cup: 0-2 at Tottenham LOST
May 15, 1969 – European Cup: 0-1 at Man United LOST
February 15, 1966 – Inter-City Fairs Cup: 1-2 at Chelsea LOST
November 27, 1962 – European Cup: 1-2 at Ipswich LOST
May 8, 1958 – European Cup: 1-2 at Man United LOST