Stefano Pioli has admitted that he was ‘sorry’ his AC Milan side could not defeat Newcastle United in a ‘very intense’ goalless draw.
A wounded Milan side were bidding to bounce back following last week’s humiliating 5-1 derby defeat against bitter rivals Inter, and the hosts quickly looked in the mood in the San Siro on Tuesday night as they laid siege to Nick Pope’s goal.
Pope, who was one of a number of Champions League debutants, had to make five saves in as many minutes at one point in the first half to deny Tommaso Pobega, Samuel Chukwueze, Olivier Giroud, Rade Krunic and Theo Hernandez.
Newcastle, though, defended resolutely after the break in what was the Magpies’ first Champions League fixture in two decades and the visitors protected their goalkeeper, who had little to do in the second half.
Although Newcastle only had one shot on target – Sean Longstaff nearly landed a sucker punch right at the death – Eddie Howe’s side defended for their lives late on as Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron made superb interventions at the back.
Milan, last season’s semi-finalists, ultimately had to settle for a point in their Group F opener when Pioli wanted so much more.
“I’m sorry for my players because they have given their utmost and maybe more,” the Milan boss told reporters. “It was a very intense game. We were tired because we ran so much.
“I’m sorry for our fans because they supported us throughout the whole game, and I’m sorry about not winning the first game in the group phase because this will be a very tough one. We wanted to win, but we couldn’t, so we’re not happy about the result.”
