The seven-time champion came from a goal down to win, thanks to Samuel Chukwueze’s superb late goal just over a minute after he came on as a substitute.
AC Milan eventually ended its hex down to English clubs in Europe as it beat Newcastle United 2- 1 in its final titleholders league Group F game on Wednesday but it was a bittersweet night for the Serie A side.
The seven- time champion came from a thing down to win, thanks to Samuel Chukwueze’s superb late thing just over a nanosecond after he came on as a cover.
It sealed Milan’s first palm against an English club down from home in European competition since 2005 and only its alternate in 22 attempts. But it was only good enough for third place in the group and a spot in the Europa League.
Had Milan won and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) lost down to group winner Borussia Dortmund, Stefano Pioli’s side would have reached the last 16 but PSG’s 1- 1 draw meant they edged through courtesy of a better head- to- head record.
“We ’re disappointed to have ended our run in the Champions League. We knew the group was tough but I believe we merited more– we should have taken our chances in the other games, ” Pioli said. “ We stayed in the game and played a great alternate half. Now we will do all we can to win the Europa League. ”
Former Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic equalised for Milan on the hour after Joelinton had given a dominant Newcastle the lead in the first half with a rasping drive.
“It’s a massive accomplishment, ” Pulisic, who’s the first American to score for three different brigades in the titleholders League, said. “ We’ve a chance to win a great competition.
“Mixed feelings. We ’re pleased with the result and the performance in the alternate half. We demanded a Dortmund win too but unfortunately it wasn’t to be tonight.
“The end (before tonight) was to stay in Europe and we ’ve managed to achieve that. Of course we wanted to continue in the titleholders League but we look forward to Europa League. ”
Saudi- Arabia- possessed Newcastle was in dreamland and heading for the last 16 when it led 1- 0 and PSG traced in Dortmund.
But a grim season and a massive injury list caught up with it as it dropped off the pace in the alternate half.
Asked what he’d learned from Newcastle’s first incursion in the titleholders League for 20 times, director Eddie Howe said, “ So much. The value of the team first and foremost, that’s what’s exposed us, the fact we haven’t had the capability to use the team we ’ve created. We ’ve gone into games veritably limited in what we can do and that hasn’t helped us. ”
While Howe said missing out on the last 16 was ruinous, the fact that his side isn’t indeed in the Europa League might be a blessing in disguise as it tries to make up ground in the Premier League and qualify for coming time’s titleholders League.
“You always have to use disappointment– the lapses– as provocation and energy for your fire, ” he said, “ We ’ll go back to the Premier League and try and do as important as we can to be harmonious and stay over there. ” Know More Latest Football News…
