UCL: Inexperienced Newcastle bow out after home loss to AC Milan

Newcastle United's European exit and UEFA's new Champions League format.

Down and out! Newcastle's goal scorer on the night, Joelinton looking dejected after a tough night at St. James's Park. AC Milan won 2-1. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Newcastle United tumbled out of Europe altogether, like Manchester United, on Wednesday after a weird night under the lights at St. James’s Park.

The Magpies had just one job at home: to win, and then hope Borussia Dortmund doesn’t lose at home to PSG. The German side did their bit by holding on to a 1-1 draw against the French champions, but Newcastle caved in when it mattered most.

The incident in Paris a few weeks ago would remain indelible in the minds of many after referee decisions took the game away from the Geordies. PSG was awarded a last-gasp penalty following a contentious handball in the Newcastle area; Kylian Mbappe converted, and the rest is history.

Newcastle took the deserved lead against AC Milan on Wednesday night through Brazilian Joelinton, but the hosts refused to take their chances as they came on the night. The visitors grew into the game and stormed past Newcastle in the second half, with the winner coming six minutes from time.

Christian Pulisic scored the leveller just before the hour mark, and with BVB leading PSG at the time, it was still in Newcastle’s hands, but Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze netted the winner in the 84^th minute, throwing Eddie Howe’s side completely out of Europe on their return after twenty years.

The implications of Newcastle’s early crash will be devastating for the Premier League. Only Arsenal and Manchester City made it through to the round of 16, and that will influence the coefficients of the Premier League next season.

The governing board, UEFA, has also announced a new format for the Champions League group stages starting next season. The group stages are now replaced by one big league table; each team will play up to ten games in a two-legged format.

The top eight sides will advance automatically, while the teams finishing 9^th to 24^th will square up in two-legged playoffs. This will add an additional one hundred games to what we already have, heaping more playing time on the players.