Sandro Back in the San Siro
Sandro Tonali is set for a return to action at the home of his boyhood club tomorrow night having been an unused substitute against Brentford on Saturday evening.
Tonali has recovered from a minor injury sustained on international duty and will line up in familiar surroundings where he is expected to receive a warm welcome from the Milan faithful. Tonali played in all 12 of AC Milan’s games in the UEFA Champions League last season where he played a vital part in the club’s run to the semi finals.
Joelinton however looks as though he won’t be available for Eddie Howe as he became the latest to be sidelined for the magpies joining Joe Willock and Emil Krafth in the treatment room.
Eddie Howe will hold his pre match press conference at the San Siro at 5pm on Monday afternoon, having delayed his team’s arrival and holding a pre-match training session back at Benton before flying out to Italy rather than under the gaze of the Italian media Milan.
Tonali has recovered from a minor injury sustained on international duty and will line up in familiar surroundings where he is expected to receive a warm welcome from the Milan faithful. Tonali played in all 12 of AC Milan’s games in the UEFA Champions League last season where he played a vital part in the club’s run to the semi finals.
Joelinton however looks as though he won’t be available for Eddie Howe as he became the latest to be sidelined for the magpies joining Joe Willock and Emil Krafth in the treatment room.
Eddie Howe will hold his pre match press conference at the San Siro at 5pm on Monday afternoon, having delayed his team’s arrival and holding a pre-match training session back at Benton before flying out to Italy rather than under the gaze of the Italian media Milan.
Spanish Officials announced for San Siro Visit
Newcastle Utd’s visit to the San Siro will be officiated by an all -Spanish team of on pitch officials on Tuesday evening.
The referee selected is José María Sánchez Martinez and he will be joined by his Spanish compatriots Raúl Cabañero and Iñigo Prieto.
Howe and Tindall will be watched over by Fourth official Cesar Soto Grado.
VAR will be overseen by another Spanish official, Alejandro Hernández. He will be assisted by Marco Fritz from Germany.
39 year old Sanchez Martinez has been a La Liga referee since 2015 and joined the UEFA elite list and ranked as a FIFA referee in 2017.
The referee selected is José María Sánchez Martinez and he will be joined by his Spanish compatriots Raúl Cabañero and Iñigo Prieto.
Howe and Tindall will be watched over by Fourth official Cesar Soto Grado.
VAR will be overseen by another Spanish official, Alejandro Hernández. He will be assisted by Marco Fritz from Germany.
39 year old Sanchez Martinez has been a La Liga referee since 2015 and joined the UEFA elite list and ranked as a FIFA referee in 2017.
Fixtures Confirmed
UEFA have confirmed Newcastle United's fixture list for the group stages of the Champions League and first up is a trip to the San Siro where they will face AC Milan on Tuesday September 19 with a 5.45pm kick off.
Next up will be a home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday 4th October under the lights of what will be a full house at St James’ Park for an 8pm kick off.
This will be followed by Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday October 25th. Again an 8pm start.
Game 4 of the group stage see’s Eddie Howe’s team travel to Germany to again face Dortmund infront of the famous yellow wall at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday November 7th (5.45pm).
It’s a trip to Paris and the Parc De France for matchday five against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday November 28 at 8pm before the final group game that brings AC Milan to St James’ Park, on Wednesday, 13th December at 8pm.
All times quoted are UK time.
Next up will be a home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday 4th October under the lights of what will be a full house at St James’ Park for an 8pm kick off.
This will be followed by Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday October 25th. Again an 8pm start.
Game 4 of the group stage see’s Eddie Howe’s team travel to Germany to again face Dortmund infront of the famous yellow wall at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday November 7th (5.45pm).
It’s a trip to Paris and the Parc De France for matchday five against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday November 28 at 8pm before the final group game that brings AC Milan to St James’ Park, on Wednesday, 13th December at 8pm.
All times quoted are UK time.
Rossoneri Legend Says They Are Ready to Welcome Tonali back to Milan
Franco Baresi is confident Sandro Tonali will ‘receive the welcome he deserves’ with Newcastle United, but Milan ‘know we can beat’ the Magpies, PSG and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia immediately following the draw for the Champions League group stages had been completed Baresi had this reaction when asked about Milan's chances of proceeding in the competition.“We knew that from Pot 3 it would be unlikely to go well, and it could’ve gone better certainly. It is a competitive group and it is exciting to face these teams,” legendary defender Baresi told Sky Sport Italia.
“We must remember that Milan are Milan, we must always be ambitious, show that we believe in ourselves and know that we can beat these opponents.
“Milan are what they were, what they are and what they will be. Let us also not forget all we’ve achieved in the last two years, so Milan know it is a strong group, but with all due respect, we doubt the others are happy to be facing Milan either.”
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia immediately following the draw for the Champions League group stages had been completed Baresi had this reaction when asked about Milan's chances of proceeding in the competition.“We knew that from Pot 3 it would be unlikely to go well, and it could’ve gone better certainly. It is a competitive group and it is exciting to face these teams,” legendary defender Baresi told Sky Sport Italia.
“We must remember that Milan are Milan, we must always be ambitious, show that we believe in ourselves and know that we can beat these opponents.
“Milan are what they were, what they are and what they will be. Let us also not forget all we’ve achieved in the last two years, so Milan know it is a strong group, but with all due respect, we doubt the others are happy to be facing Milan either.”
Yohan Cabaye on Old Club Meet-Up
Former Newcastle Utd midfielder Yohan Cabaye was present at the Champions League draw sitting alongside PSG owner Nasser Al Khalifi and their head coach Luis Enrique. And Cayabye, who is coordinator of PSG's Sports Center has this to say about the draw.
“Selfishly, I am very happy to return to Newcastle. I had some very good times. Rediscovering the stadium, the fervor, the supporters… Seeing them again in the foreground is a pleasure. Now, sportingly, it will be two complicated matches against them. It’s the Champions League. But I’m happy”he launched at first before continuing.
“The three opponents will be difficult. Three different teams, three difficult teams to play. Three stadiums with a special atmosphere too. It’s the Champions League. Unfortunately, we fell on the most difficult group, yes. But being PSG, we have to play the matches to win them and we have to tell ourselves that the other teams are afraid of us too.
Cabaye is just one of a long list of players who have turned out for both PSG and Newcastle Utd. That list includes Davide Ginola, Hatem Ben Afra, Lauren Robert, David Rozehnal, Sylvian Distin, Fabrice Pancrate, Habib Baye, current PSG player Georginio Wijnaldum and Didier Domi. The latter is employed as technical advisor to the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Qatar.
With only two French teams in the draw - PSG and Lens - it is interesting to note the disappointment emanating out of Paris, with many believing that Lens were gifted a far easier draw that PSG. Indeed, some within the French press described the draw as a nightmare scenario for the French Champions, where one loss could be "catastrophic".
“Selfishly, I am very happy to return to Newcastle. I had some very good times. Rediscovering the stadium, the fervor, the supporters… Seeing them again in the foreground is a pleasure. Now, sportingly, it will be two complicated matches against them. It’s the Champions League. But I’m happy”he launched at first before continuing.
“The three opponents will be difficult. Three different teams, three difficult teams to play. Three stadiums with a special atmosphere too. It’s the Champions League. Unfortunately, we fell on the most difficult group, yes. But being PSG, we have to play the matches to win them and we have to tell ourselves that the other teams are afraid of us too.
Cabaye is just one of a long list of players who have turned out for both PSG and Newcastle Utd. That list includes Davide Ginola, Hatem Ben Afra, Lauren Robert, David Rozehnal, Sylvian Distin, Fabrice Pancrate, Habib Baye, current PSG player Georginio Wijnaldum and Didier Domi. The latter is employed as technical advisor to the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Qatar.
With only two French teams in the draw - PSG and Lens - it is interesting to note the disappointment emanating out of Paris, with many believing that Lens were gifted a far easier draw that PSG. Indeed, some within the French press described the draw as a nightmare scenario for the French Champions, where one loss could be "catastrophic".
Upbeat Dortmund Reaction to Draw
Speaking after the draw was completed Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said that they will need to deliver some exceptional performances if they are to make it out of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
“Our group is certainly the most difficult, a hammer group. But we’ll take it. We’re up against three absolute top opponents. We will need exceptional performances to survive in this group, and that’s exactly what we’re hoping for”.
Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic was equally forthcoming, saying: “This group is a real challenge. A challenge that we look forward to and approach with full conviction. Paris St. Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle United: We have three strong opponents waiting for us. But that doesn’t change the fact that we’re going into the Champions League with great ambitions and want to move into the knockout phase.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can meanwhile expressed similar thoughts: “Of all the groups, we certainly got the strongest. Every team has the quality to advance to the knockout phase. That is our goal. Difficult tasks await us, but we are certainly not a dream opponent for the other teams either.”
And their Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl said:“An absolute cracker group. We’re looking forward to these games, and also to seeing one or the other former BVB player again. For me it’s the Champions League. We’ll do whatever it takes to get ahead and we have the skills to do it. I don’t think any of the other teams wanted Borussia Dortmund as an opponent either.”
“Our group is certainly the most difficult, a hammer group. But we’ll take it. We’re up against three absolute top opponents. We will need exceptional performances to survive in this group, and that’s exactly what we’re hoping for”.
Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic was equally forthcoming, saying: “This group is a real challenge. A challenge that we look forward to and approach with full conviction. Paris St. Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle United: We have three strong opponents waiting for us. But that doesn’t change the fact that we’re going into the Champions League with great ambitions and want to move into the knockout phase.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can meanwhile expressed similar thoughts: “Of all the groups, we certainly got the strongest. Every team has the quality to advance to the knockout phase. That is our goal. Difficult tasks await us, but we are certainly not a dream opponent for the other teams either.”
And their Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl said:“An absolute cracker group. We’re looking forward to these games, and also to seeing one or the other former BVB player again. For me it’s the Champions League. We’ll do whatever it takes to get ahead and we have the skills to do it. I don’t think any of the other teams wanted Borussia Dortmund as an opponent either.”