UMSNT players in the Champions League: AC Milan vs Newcastle United

The UEFA Champions League returns today with eight group stage fixtures, featuring the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester City.

Also in action on Tuesday are last year’s semi-finalists AC Milan, who take on Newcastle United at San Siro. Milan have USMNT duo Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah available for the game.

Both players have considerable experience in the top European leagues but only moved to Milan this summer; Pulisic signed from Chelsea, while Musah joined from LaLiga side Valencia.

This will be both players’ first taste of Champions League action with AC Milan, although Pulisic has previously faced Milan while playing for Chelsea. In an interview with the Italian club, Pulisic recalled his first taste of the Milan club’s famous atmosphere.

“I remember playing here at San Siro in the Champions League and I could not believe what I was seeing before the match even started,” Pulisic said.

“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. I’d never experienced anything like that. I think AC Milan, playing at San Siro, might be the best place in the world when there’s a big game.”

Will Pulisic and Musah play against Newcastle United?

USMNT captain Pulisic has started in all four matches since arriving in Milan and scored twice. Musah, a 20-year-old midfielder, has made two substitute appearances for the Rossoneri.

After a promising start to the season Milan’s most result Serie A outing was a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Inter Milan. Pulisic started but was withdrawn early in the second half with his team two goals down. Musah came on as a late substitute when the game was already beyond Milan.

In recent days it has been speculated that Milan head coach Stefano Pioli may look to make changes after that chastening defeat. However, given Pulisic’s impressive start to life in Milan, he is expected to keep his spot in the starting XI.

Musah may be one of the beneficiaries of any changes and could be brought into the team to help combat Newcastle’s energetic midfield.

Will AC Milan beat Newcastle United?

Milan are currently third in Serie A with three wins from their first four games, but their recent derby defeat may have knocked the team’s confidence slightly.

Newcastle overperformed expectations in 2022/23 to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years. Head coach Eddie Howe built a hard-working, organised team with one of the best defensive records in the league last season.

This campaign has not started so successfully for the Magpies, losing three of their first five games. However those defeats came against Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion, who all occupy the top five spots in the league.

Newcastle were able to rest players last weekend in a 1-0 win against Brentford, meaning that Howe should be able to field a full-strength side at San Siro. The Magpies are tough opponents, but Milan should have enough in front of their home support to begin their Champions League campaign with a win.