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 beaten Newcastle at the San Siro, Stefano Pioli should have a blueprint in mind, of how to repeat the previous result.
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.