Newcastle's Anticipated Champions League Comeback: A New Era Begins with Milan Showdown - Exclusive Report

For Newcastle fans, returning to the Champions League holds immense significance. The previous owner, Mike Ashley, left them feeling deprived and neglected. Under his leadership, they merely existed and had no chance of reclaiming their spot at the top of European football.

Although there was a brief stint in the Europa League under Alan Pardew in 2013, it was considered a one-time occurrence and not embraced by the higher-ups.

The content fragment was viewed as diverting attention from the league, leading supporters to believe Ashley's primary concern was the team's continued presence in the Premier League and the financial gains that accompany it.

The return of the fans brings a sense of satisfaction, as they now find themselves at the forefront, vying against esteemed clubs and relishing the chance to witness memorable matches. With an enticing series of expeditions to Milan, Dortmund, and Paris, supporters are presented with marvelous opportunities to watch the club perform on the grand European stage, holding onto the genuine belief that they can successfully advance past the group stage.

The draw initially appeared to be a challenging group, often referred to as the "group of death." However, all three teams have weakened compared to previous years. PSG is without Neymar and Lionel Messi, Dortmund does not have Jude Bellingham, and Milan has lost Sandro Tonali.

In my opinion, Newcastle is on par or even superior to Milan in terms of quality. However, their performance will heavily rely on their ability to handle the San Siro atmosphere and the passionate home fans, who are renowned for making things extremely challenging for visiting supporters.

The fans are guaranteed to have an amazing time, expressing their overall happiness to be present but also striving to ensure they advance from the group stage. Earlier, I strolled along one of the canals where the fans congregated, and they were absolutely enjoying themselves. It is an experience they have longed for. Unlike the top six clubs and even the Scottish teams, who often take participating in European competitions for granted, Newcastle will wholeheartedly appreciate every moment.

They have a group of fans here who have never witnessed their performances in Europe before. It is a novel experience for them, something to be cherished.

I anticipate Eddie Howe to return to his familiar tactics on Tuesday. Callum Wilson participated in the entire 90 minutes of the 1-0 victory on Saturday. He had an individual training session on Monday, and I expect Alexander Isak to make a comeback.

The back four picks itself, but there are a few positions which could be changed.

I think Tonali will come back in due to Joelinton's injury, alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff.

Miguel Almiron is expected to take Harvey Barnes' place on the right side of the attacking trio as Eddie Howe reverts to his preferred players from the early season matches, where they performed impressively, especially against Aston Villa.

The absence of Joelinton will be sorely felt, considering his physical presence, energy, and contributions to the team, similar to the current absence of Joe Willock. Nonetheless, this is precisely why they acquired players like Tonali and retained Longstaff. The team now possesses more alternatives, making the squad stronger compared to the previous season.

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Newcastle will feel the absence of Joelinton's dynamism in Milan. While some players like Kieran Trippier boast experience from playing in a Champions League final and Guimaraes have competed in the competition for Lyon, a significant number of squad members lack such exposure.

Dan Burn, Longstaff, and Wilson have not experienced it before, nor have Almiron or Anthony Gordon. While they may have teammates who have faced similar situations in the past, this will be a fresh experience for many of them.

It will be intriguing to observe how they cope with this occasion, as it is a significant departure from their usual routine and presents an entirely new set of challenges.

If Newcastle were to secure a point, I believe they would be extremely satisfied. Considering Milan's recent result, it will undoubtedly be challenging, and there is a clear sense of urgency from Newcastle to rectify it. Stefano Pioli has expressed his desire to personally apologize to each AC Milan fan, and he expects his players to demonstrate their determination on Tuesday.

It is uncertain whether Newcastle is facing Milan when they are in a favorable state. Despite their victory over the weekend, their performance is not as fluid as last season, and it seems like they require additional time to regain their form.

A win would be astounding, and departing with a point would be more than satisfactory. However, considering the stadium, the atmosphere, and the outcome over the weekend, Milan will be considered favorites to hinder Newcastle's return to the Champions League. On Tuesday morning, Gazzetta dello Sport asserted that Newcastle is "less intimidating" compared to the Inter side they were defeated by over the weekend. Furthermore, Eddie Howe's team must demonstrate their worth in the Champions League...

What the Milan papers say