Newcastle have been left “devastated” after Samuel Chukwueze’s late winner despatched the Magpies crashing out of Europe with a 2-1 defeat by AC Milan within the Champions League on Wednesday.
Victory was not sufficient for final season’s semi-finalists to progress as Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-1 draw away to Borussia Dortmund was sufficient for the French champions to safe second place in Group F.
But Milan did snatch at the least the comfort of a spot within the Europa League away from the Magpies, whose first Champions League marketing campaign in 20 years led to disappointment.
Ravaged by a prolonged listing of accidents, fatigue has taken its toll on Newcastle, who’ve now misplaced three consecutive video games in all competitions.
“We gave everything to the match. I can’t ask for anything more (in terms of) commitment, effort, physical exertion. Unfortunately for us it wasn’t to be,” mentioned Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
“Probably not our best technical performance but we did create chances on the night. We’re devastated not to go through.”
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Howe had been compelled to call the identical 10 outfield gamers for the earlier 5 video games on account of an absence of choices and he pointed to an absence of energy in depth for his facet’s failure to construct on a superb begin to the group.
After drawing 0-0 in Milan, Newcastle thrashed PSG 4-1 at dwelling.
But they took only one level from their ultimate 4 video games to complete backside of the group.
(*16*) added Howe. “We haven’t had the ability to utilise the squad we created, that’s been a big frustration for us.”
Milan’s missed likelihood
Milan have additionally been hamstrung by an damage disaster and under-fire coach Stefano Pioli bemoaned not having taken their possibilities earlier within the group.
“We’re disappointed to have ended our run in the Champions League,” mentioned Pioli. “We knew the group was tough but I believe we deserved more –- we should have taken our chances in the other games.”
Fikayo Tomori was the one match central defender obtainable to Pioli and saved his facet from falling behind early on.
The England worldwide produced a surprising last-ditch sort out on his personal goal-line to forestall Miguel Almiron tapping dwelling Joelinton’s cross.
But Newcastle’s strain was met with some reward earlier than half-time in a spectacular opening aim.
Anthony Gordon surged by way of the Milan midfield and performed in Lewis Miley, who laid the ball again to Joelinton to fireplace a candy strike into the highest nook.
Newcastle wanted to win and hope PSG didn’t in Dortmund to undergo.
An already electrical environment was intensified in the beginning of the second half as information of Dortmund’s opener towards PSG filtered by way of to the house help.
However, two objectives in a matter of minutes turned the complexion of a gripping Group F as soon as extra.
PSG equalised in Germany earlier than Milan additionally obtained again on degree phrases.
Newcastle did not take care of Rafael Leao’s cross from the left and Olivier Giroud arrange Christian Pulisic to drill dwelling on his return to England.
The sport raged from end-to-end within the ultimate levels with a draw no good for both facet.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a surprising save to show Bruno Guimaraes’ shot onto the bar.
At the opposite finish, Leao ought to have buried Newcastle’s Champions League desires when he hit the put up with simply Martin Dubravka to beat.
However, Milan have been extra ruthless with their subsequent alternative as substitute Chukwueze curled brilliantly into the far nook six minutes from time.
The Italians ought to have added to their benefit in stoppage time as a stretched Newcastle grew to become more and more bedraggled.
Theo Hernandez missed an open aim after Dubravka had gone ahead for a nook.
Tomori then sprinted ahead on the counter-attack to hit the put up.
But Milan did their job on the evening, if not over the course of the group, to at the least guarantee they’ve European soccer to stay up for in 2024.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
