The importance of AC Milan’s Champions League clash on Wednesday cannot be understated for either team and ahead of the fixture, Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has provided some insight into the fixture.
Milan is reliant on miracles for their season to be a success now. They sit nine points behind Inter in Serie A, and qualification into the Round of 16 in the Champions League looks bleak – they will only progress into the latter stages of Europe’s most prestigious competition by beating the Magpies and relying on Dortmund beating PSG at the Signal Iduna Park.
However, there is arguably no better time for the Rossoneri to face Newcastle. Similarly to the situation plaguing the Diavolo, the Magpies are also facing an injury crisis, and this has shown, as the side has been on the end of heavy, back-to-back losses – a 3-0 defeat against Everton and a 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Following the poor performance against Atalanta, Milan now has to bounce back against the English outfit, using the game as a revenge point, and proving they are amongst Europe’s elite. Having drawn against Newcastle at the San Siro, Stefano Pioli needs to have a blueprint in mind of how to better the previous result, considering the reports that swirl regarding his job future, should his side fail to win.
Shearer was questioned by Gary Lineker about Wednesday’s clash on The Rest Is Football podcast, and his comments were relayed by GeordieBootBoys.
“Yeah, I can [see Newcastle bouncing back]. It is a huge game. It is different when you are at home and have the backing of the crowd.”
Whilst both sets of players will be focused on the fixture tomorrow evening, fans will be keeping an eye on the clash taking place in Germany, given their progression relies on the other fixture. Both clubs and sets of fans will be expectant of victory – as they attempt to upturn their current fortunes.
There is hope. Paris is still playing poor football so far, I would say Dortmund at home is favorite if they can take care of Mbappé. Hopefully Pioli can adjust Théo at CB after watching what was wrong against Atalanta. Then the team is almost complete and maybe the Zlatan effect will boost the players.
There IS hope – we can beat Newcastle. The problem I’m worried about is that a draw suits both teams in the other game. If Dortmund lose they probably drop to 2nd. If PSG lose they probably go out. If they draw it’s ‘as you were’.
“Having beaten Newcastle at the San Siro, Stefano Pioli should have a blueprint in mind, of how to repeat the previous result.”
A repeat & we don’t even make the Europa League.😂😂😂
Or maybe I watched the wrong game that day.
Wtf?! So basically we’re doomed because we didn’t actually beat them at home?!
Proof reading and where’s the editor?!
Ha!!
If only we had taken just one of the numerous chances that day.
“Yeah, I can [see Newcastle bouncing back]. It is a huge game. It is different when you are at home and have the backing of the crowd.”
That’s it? That’s all he said? 🤔
Great insight there Shearer
B. O. L. D.
Hahah
I think the issue isn’t even whether other results go our way. The real question is are we really equipped to continue in Europe?
Yeah I get the financial benefit, but as far as the current state of squad, we don’t even have the quality/availability to continue domestically, not to mention Europe.
Milan needs out of Europe ALTOGETHER to focus on Top 4, reinforce key areas and restart next season. Going to EL….. ehh…… not really any better.
Wow tanking, very US style. No offense but this is probably one of the worst comments ever. Basically you say that Pioli, a professional Scudetto-winning coach with his job currently in danger, should tell the professional players who are born competitors to lose purposely the game. Can you now feel how silly it is?