AC Milan v Newcastle LIVE commentary: Magpies make European return at historic San Siro – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Newcastle return to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years when they face European giants AC Milan this week.

The Magpies haven’t dined at Europe’s top table since a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in March 2003 but now meet seven-time winners Milan.

Wilson’s penalty ended Newcastle’s losing streakGetty

Eddie Howe’s side warmed up for their return to the big time by snapping a three-game losing run after beating Brentford 1-0.

Callum Wilson’s penalty was enough to seal Newcastle’s first Premier League win since the opening weekend as the Toon moved up to 11th.

And the club will fancy their chances in Italy, with Milan licking their wounds after a humbling 5-1 defeat to old foes Inter.

This opening Group F showdown could already prove pivotal to both team’s chances of qualification, with fellow European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Borrusia Dortmund making up this year’s group of death.

AC Milan vs Newcastle: talkSPORT coverage

This Champions League clash will take place on Tuesday, September 19.

Kick-off at the San Siro is scheduled for 5:45pm UK time.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the showdown in Italy, presented by Adrian Durham and Darren Bent from the Etihad Stadium.

Commentary will then come from Sam Matterface and former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Milan conceded five goals against their arch-rivals for the first time since 1974Getty

AC Milan vs Newcastle: Team news

The hosts can welcome back England defender Fikayo Tomori after he was suspended for the loss to Inter.

Milan are still missing fellow defender Pierre Kalulu due to a thigh concern, Ismael Bennacer while is a long-term absentee.

For Newcastle, Sandro Tonali is set to reunite with his boyhood club having been an unused substitute against Brentford following a minor injury sustained on international duty.

Joelinton became the latest to be sidelined for Newcastle, with the Brazilian joining Joe Willock and Emil Krafth in the treatment room.

Tonali is already very popular in NewcastleGetty

AC Milan vs Newcastle: What has been said?

Alan Pardew, who was the last manager to take Newcastle on a European journey, has been reflecting on the Toon’s upcoming Champions League campaign.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, he said: “They were never going to get an easy group because they were in pot four.

“These games are going to be very high profile against teams that are a lot more established and have a lot more experience than Newcastle.

“But Newcastle were the one team in pot four that nobody wanted, trust me.

“The power of the new ownership, Eddie Howe’s leadership and a great team is a powerful combination.

“I think the fans will carry them, particularly the home games.

“They need to get one draw away because, at home, those other teams are going to find it an experience.”

Loftus-Cheek is among the former Premier League stars facing the MagpiesGetty

AC Milan vs Newcastle: Match facts

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali played in all 12 of Milan’s games in the UEFA Champions League last season, with his total of 1,053 minutes played being not only the most of any Milan player, but the most of any outfielder overall in 2022-23.Only Vinícius Júnior (47) made more successful take-ons in the UEFA Champions League than Rafael Leão (39) in 2022-23, while the Portuguese had both the most expected goals (1.2) and expected assists (1.2) following take-ons of any player in the competition last term.Newcastle have a 56% win rate in UEFA Champions League home matches (W5 D0 L4), compared to just 22% away from home (W2 D2 L5).Milan have won their last two games in the group stage in the UEFA Champions League (4-0 v both Dinamo Zagreb and FC Red Bull Salzburg), and will be looking to win three in a row in the group stage for the first time since September 2006 under Carlo Ancelotti (3).In their last appearance in the UEFA Champions League (2002-03), Newcastle United became the first side to lose their opening three matches yet still progress to the next round. Atalanta in 2019-20 are the only side to have achieved this since.This will be Newcastle’s third appearance in the UEFA Champions League, having previously played in the 1997-98 and 2002-03 campaigns. Their last match was 20 years and 184 days ago, with this the longest gap between games for an English side in the competition.Semi-finalists last season, Milan have only been eliminated from the first round group stage in one of their last 14 UEFA Champions League campaigns (2021-22).This will be Milan’s 20th UEFA Champions League campaign, the second most of any Italian side after Juventus (23). After seven season absence between 2014-15 and 2020-21, this is their third consecutive campaign in the competition.Newcastle won their last European away game against Italian opposition, beating Palermo 1-0 in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup. They’d failed to win any of their first four visits to Italy before this (D2 L2).This is the first ever competitive meeting between Milan and Newcastle – Milan have won just one of their last 11 matches against English sides (D2 L8), though that did come against Spurs in last season’s UEFA Champions League (1-0).