The 2023/24 Champions League campaign is kicking off in real style for Italy’s representatives with AC Milan vs Newcastle United getting things going at the Stadio San Siro on Matchday 1 of Group F. The fixture already looks like a vital one for both clubs as they fight for progression from a competitive group alongside French giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
However, having reached the semi-final stage of the competition last season and already looking like strong candidates for the Serie A title this term, the Rossoneri will go into the fixture as favourites. The newly wealthy and Saudi Arabia-backed Premier League club have taken just three points from a possible 12 so far in domestic action, and have not competed in the Champions League for 20 years.
AC Milan vs Newcastle: Predicted line-ups
The new look 4-3-3 formation fully unleashed by Milan coach Stefano Pioli is expected to see Tijani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic make their Champions League bows for the Rossoneri, with the latter two knowing plenty about their opponents from their time spent in England.
On the opposite side of the divide is a man who knows the Italian giants even better, with former Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali making a quick return to the San Siro, after joining Newcastle for €70 million this summer, and in turn helping to fund much of the Rossoneri’s restructuring.
AC Milan predicted XI vs Newcastle (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao.
Newcastle predicted XI vs AC Milan (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
AC Milan vs Newcastle: When does the Champions League fixture start?
The Champions League Group F Matchday 1 fixture of AC Milan vs Newcastle kicks off at 21:00 CEST – local time in Italy – making it a 20:00 BST kick-off in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In the United States, kick-off of AC Milan vs Newcastle is 15:00 EDT or 12:00 PDT.
AC Milan vs Newcastle: Where to watch the Champions League fixture?
In the United States, every Champions League game in 2023/24 can be seen on Paramount+, including AC Milan vs Newcastle and the other standout fixtures of Champions League Matchday 1.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, you can watch AC Milan vs Newcastle on TNT Sport 1, formerly known as BT Sports.
