Eddie Howe ‘proud’ of Newcastle’s stalemate with AC Milan on Champions League return
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AC Milan's French forward Olivier Giroud (centre) jumps for the ball against Newcastle.
PHOTO: AFP
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MILAN – Eddie Howe was proud of Newcastle United’s dogged return to Champions League football after two decades away, as they held seven-time winners AC Milan to a 0-0 draw in Tuesday’s opening Group F match.
He was the happier of the two managers with taking a point from the clash at the San Siro with his team mostly on the back foot against last season’s losing semi-finalists.
The Magpies did little in their first fixture in Europe’s top club competition since 2003, with the Saudi Arabia-backed side barely creating a chance and lucky to escape with a draw on the balance of play.
“Definitely pride in the result and the performance and the mentality shown,” Howe said.
“Within the squad, the result wasn’t underestimated.
“Also, they are very honest players that acknowledge the fact that we can perform better.
“I think we’ll get better and better as time goes on.
“Hopefully we can grow into the tournament.”
Milan should have won but wasted a string of chances, particularly in the first half, as they dominated the play on Sandro Tonali’s return to his old stomping ground after being sold to Newcastle in July.
His father was at the San Siro and saw much more football played by the hosts than by his son, back in the starting line-up after missing international duty and the weekend’s 1-0 win over Brentford with injury.
Before kick-off and during the match, the Italy midfielder was loudly cheered by supporters.
But the home fans, who watched their team thumped 5-1 by local rivals Inter Milan last Saturday, were left frustrated by their side’s poor finishing after 25 attempts on goal, eight of which were on target.
Howe’s team had only one shot on target, which came when home-grown midfielder Sean Longstaff forced substitute goalkeeper Marco Sportiello into a save with a strike from the edge of the area in the 95th minute.
Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff (left) in action against AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
“You have to win when you play so much better than such a good team,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalise on the situations we created.
“It’s a shame that we didn’t win the first match because it’s going to be a difficult group.
“We’re not happy with the result... We were lacking the most important quality of all.”
Newcastle and Milan both have a point each, while Paris Saint-Germain lead Group F after their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Tonali, meanwhile, thanked the warm support he received on his return to Milan.
“It was emotional. We take this draw and point, a point we fought to get and we’re happy about,” he added. AFP, REUTERS
