One of the rarer joys of the Uefa Champions League, a competition in which those at the summit of the club game collide with such regularity that it can seem routine, is when a gatecrasher rolls into town. Better still if that outsider arrives sensing their unfamiliarity to the reigning elite may be a strength.
Newcastle United, preparing to play their first group-stage fixture in the Champions League for more than two decades, flew into Italy later than they might have Monday, the better to hide any clues about tactics or line-ups from prying eyes. They trained at home, not in San Siro, where they face AC Milan on Tuesday evening, before boarding their plane.
It means they can enter the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan’s fabled arena commonly known as the San Siro, hinting they have some secrets, a few surprises to unleash.
Not that Milan cannot be ambushed by opponents on whom the most thorough homework has been done. At the weekend, San Siro staged what was the fifth Milan derby of the calendar year – one in the Italian Super Cup, in Riyadh, another in Serie A and a two-legged European Cup tie in May – and the outcome, a win for Inter Milan, was the same as it has been throughout 2023.
Milan lost again to their neighbours, were once more confounded by a well-organised defence and Inter’s slick counter-attack. Only this time the scale of Saturday’s defeat exceeded the recent precedents: 5-1, an inauspicious lead-in for what is a formidably challenging Champions League group.
The Rossoneri made last season’s semi-finals but must regard progress into the knockouts this time as a tall order. To reach the last four in 2022/23, they needed to finish above RB Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb and edge out Tottenham Hotspur over two legs. The most significant feat was then eliminating Napoli, runaway Italian champions-elect, to earn their meeting with Inter, who triumphed 3-0 over two legs.
The requirements in Group F are tougher. Paris Saint-Germain, the serial Ligue 1 champions, are the top seeds of a mini-league in which Borussia Dortmund, who missed out on winning the Bundesliga last season only on goal difference, were the next name to be drawn. Newcastle, by dint of their long absence from Champions League participation, were among the lowest seeds.
Newcastle’s modest ranking is an illusion, a time-lapse that does not recognise the rapid ascent of a club who have invested not far shy of €500 million on transfer fees over the past four transfer windows, the period since a new consortium, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund the majority stakeholder, took control of the club. Newcastle sat 19th in the Premier League at the time of the takeover.
Newcastle 1 Brentford 0: Player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Forced into early block from Hickey that had taken slight deflection off Pope. That was as tough as it got save wise from the big keeper who was hardly teste, bar one late cross that caught him out and gave half chance to Youssa. Getty -
Kieran Trippier 6: Some uncharacteristically poor dead balls from the England full-back, one particularly poor free kick when very well placed wide of penalty area in first half didn't get over first defender. Attacked whenever possible and captain remains leader and driving force of team. PA -
Sven Botman 8: Back from ankle injury which saw him miss Brighton defeat and was his usual calm and collected self. Some good interceptions and blocks. Helped keep Mbeumo and Youssa relatively quiet. AFP -
Fabian Schar 8: Left with bloody mouth after getting arm in face off Youssa but did well against a very physical opponent. Usual good distribution out from back from Swiss defender. AFP -
Dan Burn 6: All Brentford’s early attacking came down his flank and the big Geordie struggled. He also lost possession a few times which frustrated the home fans. But redeemed himself with one superb covering tackle on Schade three minutes from end. AFP -
Sean Longstaff 6: Another making first start of season and not quite up to last season’s high standards but improved as game went on. Usual tireless performance. Reuters -
Bruno Guimaraes 7: Had Newcastle’s first attempt on target in 29th minute but headed straight at keeper from close range. The star of Newcastle’s midfield for last 18 months is yet to hit top gear this season and isnlt his usual smiling self but still produced some of his trademark passing between the lines. getty -
Elliott Anderson 6: Highly-rated young attacker given rare start and while he was neat and tidy in possession, never took game by scruff of neck or threaten on goal. Still waiting for his breakthrough performance for first team. Getty -
Anthony Gordon 6: Always a handful with his pace but generally buzzed round without cutting edge until he was brought down in box by clumsy Flekken challenge that led to Wilson scoring penalty. Booked late on for dissent. AFP -
Harvey Barnes 7: First start for summer signing from Leicester and sent one dangerous low ball across six-yard box that needed slightest touch by Flecken to prevent Newcastle goal. His direct running caused Brentford regular problems. AFP -
Callum Wilson 8: Fresh from signing contract extension, striker returned to starting XI but received little service in opening 45 minutes. Very unlucky to see goal disallowed for foul on keeper. Unstoppable penalty to put team ahead not long after. Booked in injury-time for push to stop throw-in being taken quickly. EPA -
SUBS: Miguel Almiron (On for Barnes 83’) N/A. Getty -
BRENTFORD RATINGS: Mark Flekken 5: First save was just before half-hour mark to block Guimaraes header, then got vital glove to Barnes ball across box moments later. Flapped at cross which allowed Wilson to poke home but rescued by dubious foul call. Needless challenge on Gordon to give away penalty. PA -
Aaron Hickey 7: Drilled shot in opening few minutes straight at Pope as Brentford found a bit of early joy down Newcastle’s left flank. Booked for blocking Pope attempt to launch quick counter-attack. Slack back pass led to keeper giving away penalty. AFP -
Ethan Pinnock 8: Did well to hold off Wilson when Newcastle striker would have been clean through in first half and enjoyed his battle with the England player throughout. Getty -
Ben Mee 7: Lucky not to pick up first-half booking for going through back of Guimaraes. The Bees defender limped off injured in second half after a was had been a very good performance at St James’ Park. EPA -
Nathan Collins 6: Vital header away after Flekken had saved saves Guimaraes header. Also nice bit of tidying up after teammate Piddock missed a header late in first half, reading potential danger well. Too slow to close down Barnes in run up to penalty being conceded. Booked late on for foul on Wilson. Reuters -
Rico Henry 7: Pacy left-back had been doing well up against Gordon but picked up injury late in first half after twisting his knee following slip. Looked like he might need stretcher but picked himself up before limping off down tunnel. EPA -
Mathias Jensen 7: Supplied lovely pass to Hickey for Scot’s early chance that was saved and saw another cross almost pick out Youssa. Less influential as game went on. AFP -
Christian Norgaard 6: Brentford captain booked for poor challenge to bring down Barnes who was in full flow just before break and could arguably have saw red soon after for challenge on Trippier. Reuters -
Vitaly Janelt 7: German helped make life difficult for Newcastle’s midfield with his pressing and workrate exemplary. EPA -
Bryan Mbeumo 5: Fine start to season with four goals but not a sniff of goal here and got little joy out of Newcastle’s centre-backs. Harsh penalty for handball given against him was rightly reversed after VAR check. Getty -
Youane Wissa 5: Failed to connect with ball when deflected cross looped into box in first half. Delayed putting a ball through to Mbeumo that would have put teammate though on goal. Booked for catching Schar in face with arm. Getty -
SUBS: Mads Roerslev (On for Henry 41’) 7: Slotted straight into defence without any problems. AFP -
Neale Maupay (On for Mee 72’) 5: Part of a triple Bees change as they looked for leveller. Frenchman never looked like getting it. AFP -
Kevin Schade (On for Jabnelt 72’) 5: No chance for German to make impact. EPA -
Frank Onyeka (On for Nogaard 72’) 5: Annoyed home fans when he went down holding face stopping a Newcastle counter-attack despite there being little contact. Reuters Keane Lewis-Potter (On for Hickey 82’) N/A.
Some 19 months later, they were finishing fourth in England’s top division, four points ahead of Liverpool, one of the Champions League regulars not present in this season’s competition, and fully 27 points above Chelsea, who have spent more than twice as much on new players as Newcastle in the past two years but have at the same time plunged from being European champions in 2021 to mid-table in the Premier League.
The long-term target at Newcastle is to consolidate their elevated place in this altered hierarchy, the immediate aim to make a statement comeback to the Champions League.
In terms of prestige, AC Milan, seven-time winners of the European Cup, versus Newcastle, who were promoted from the Championship only six years ago, is a mismatch.
In terms of applied know-how, man for man, there is greater parity. Among the visitors this evening is a midfielder who only five months ago was contesting a Champions League semi-final at San Siro. He is Sandro Tonali, bought by Newcastle from Milan in the summer for around €70 million and returning to face former teammates sooner than he had anticipated.
The real fairy tales are to be found elsewhere. Defender Dan Burn, 31, from the Newcastle area and a boyhood fan, should make his European debut after a career that has taken him up and down the English divisions.
He’ll probably be marking Christian Pulisic, a Champions League winner in 2021, and, until the weekend’s humbling in a derby in which few Milan players shone, the Rossoneri man in the best early-season form.
Stefano Pioli, the Milan manager, was minimising the residual damage left by Inter’s weekend humbling of his side. “I don’t believe there is any psychological harm,” said Pioli. “We are a mature side.”
Not so mature that his starting line-up may well include only one player over 30, probably Olivier Giroud at centre-forward, or that Pioli did not welcome a visit to Milan’s pre-match preparations from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club’s leading ambassador for experience, maturity and enduring excellence until he retired, aged 41, in the summer.
“Zlatan spoke, individually, to some of the players,” reported Pioli. “We know how much he cares about this club. We will give our best.”
