In possession, though, Newcastle charge in numbers.

Kieran Trippier is high and on the ball on the right for a cross that a Milan head meets to clear. Lots of black and white shirts in the middle.

Newcastle with five in midfield out of possession. Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy have a shift on the hands.

The first shot on target comes from Milan's Rafael Leao, who cuts inside on to his right foot and whips an effort from range straight at Nick Pope.

Walking pace at the back for the home side. Fikayo Tomori saunters with the ball at his feet, a line of compact Newcastle midfielders ahead of him, restricting space.

It's a night for discipline.

Sandro Tonali's first act back in the San Siro is to commit a foul.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is here to watch his former Milan mates.

The AC fans are here too, in big numbers. Atmosphere is fizzing.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

That first game of the season against Aston Villa Newcastle were phenomenal, they were at another level, if they play like that tonight I think they'll win.

That's what it comes down to. Do they play like they did in the games they lost or against Aston Villa? They need to do the latter.

There's a poignant moment before the game as everyone takes a moment to remember the victims of the recent tragedies in Morocco and Libya.

And then we're on with the football.

A first Champions League game in 20 years for Newcastle. In the San Siro. Against the seven-time winners.

This season's competition has now properly begun in a big way.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

If they believe in themselves then I think Newcastle are capable of getting something out of this game but they've got to believe in themselves.

Here come the teams out on to the San Siro pitch.

Love the place. Proper football ground. One that screams European competition.

It's a fitting spot for Newcastle's return to continental competition.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Rafael Leao is Milan's most dangerous player. Theo Hernandez likes to get forward a lot during the game too. Jacob Murphy is that little bit more likely to track back, to cover the areas, to cover in front of Leao more than Miguel Almiron or Harvey Barnes would maybe do.

But it doesn't mean he's going to finish the game. If you're looking at a team going forwards and scoring goals and winning games you probably would've chosen one of the other two.

• 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 Champions League (1-0).
• This will be Newcastle's third appearance in the 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 Champions League campaigns (2021-22).
• In their last appearance in the 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.
• Newcastle have a 56% win rate in Champions League home matches (W5 D0 L4), compared to just 22% away from home (W2 D2 L5).
• Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali played in all 12 of Milan’s games in the 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 Vinicius Junior (47) made more successful take-ons in the Champions League than Rafael Leao (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.

A man Newcastle need to keep quiet tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

In their last appearance in the 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.

Newcastle won't want to test out that approach again this time around.

Image source, Getty Images

So, as we've mentioned a few times, it is 20 years since Newcastle last went on a serious European adventure in the Champions League.

If you're too young to remember or simply want a reminder of all the fun they had back then, have a read of the piece on our site chronicling it all.

It included a 2-2 draw in the San Siro, not against AC but Inter.

You can read it here.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe speaking to TNT Sports: "We know it is going to be a great challenge but hopefully one we can rise to."

On how they will handle a first Champions League game for 19 years: "Those lads with experience will be vital for us. We've worked hard to achieve this, so we don't want to waste it."

On whether they can enjoy the game: "Enjoyment is very rare in management. We want the supporters to enjoy it but that comes from us performing our best. This is a great reward for such a loyal fan base."

On his team selection: "We have to manage Callum [Wilson]'s minutes so Alex [Isak] comes in. Jacob [Murphy] deserves his chance.

"Sandro [Tonali] is a top player, it will be an emotional night for him. He is a relaxed character, we never have to reign him back. It will be a challenging night for him but hopefully he can show his natural talent on the ball."

As BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck puts it, Newcastle United "made history" in their 2002-03 Champions League campaign as they became the first side to qualify for the next stage after losing their first three group games.

John Carver explained how everyone reacted when they clinched that remarkable achievement at Feyenoord.

"The whole bench went ballistic," he recalled. "I was part of it. The subs were going crazy, everyone in the staff.

"And then I looked at Sir Bobby and he was just standing there as calmly as anything, telling everyone to calm down."

Newcastle had raced into a two-goal lead in their vital final group game only to be pegged back by their hosts to two apiece.

Craig Bellamy's late winner fired them into the second group stage and Carver confesses he got a bit more excited than his boss.

"When the full-time whistle went, we were celebrating in the dressing room and Speedo [Gary Speed] gave me a big cuddle," he said.

"Bobby told us to stay calm as we hadn't won anything yet. He was playing it down due to his experiences but we went back to the hotel for a few beers and didn't tell him.

"We had to celebrate - it was a magnificent achievement."

More exclusive interviews and archive material on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Twenty years ago, it would have been very surprising to suggest Newcastle would have to wait two full decades before returning to elite European competition.

But what was it about that Magpies side that made them so special?

"The balance was perfect," former assistant manager John Carver told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We had the strong leaders of Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, Nikos Dabizas and Shay Given who were all big characters.

"Then there was the young group of Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Hugo Viana - what a player he was.

"That mix of youth and experience was so important. When we had difficult times, experience brought us through it. But then the young guys had no fear and that also helped us."

Former striker Lomana Tresor Lua Lua, part of that young group, agreed saying confidence was high in the camp.

"When we looked at the each other, we thought that on our day, we could beat anybody," he said. "We had enough to hurt teams, and everybody wanted to a big player.

"We had all the same dream and worked hard for it."

Listen to the Champions League special on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Callum Wilson says Newcastle’s tough Champions League group offers an “opportunity” to defy doubters.

The Magpies – returning to the group stage of the competition for the first time since 2002-03 – face AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Paris St-Germain in their group.

On The Footballer’s Football Podcast, Wilson’s co-presenter Michail Antonio joked “Newcastle are out”, before adding: “It could be best group for you guys. No one believes you are going to get through there.”

On doubts over Newcastle’s credentials, Wilson said: “That’s cool. There is no pressure on us. You can look at it as a threat or opportunity. We have an opportunity to go into the Champions League, play against the best teams that have been here for many years, go toe-to-toe with them. No one is backing us. We weren’t down as favourites to win the competition so why not have the best chance to challenge yourself and try to progress that way.

“We are not going to these stadiums to spectate and be a tourist. We are going to put in a performance and go toe-to-toe. That’s what we worked so hard last season for, to not get to this point now and then start falling away and getting nervous when it gets to this situation. Everyone says you want Champions League, OK we have got it, so let’s show why you deserve to be there.”

Wilson says his stand-out games are Dortmund away or PSG at home, adding he expects an “unbelievable” atmosphere at St. James’ Park.

He cheekily told West Ham’s Antonio: “Mikey I’ll let you know what it’s like as you’ll probably never get to experience them.”

Find out what rules the players would change and get their thoughts on Manchester United’s future in the full show here

Image source, Getty Images

After a 20-year exile from the Champions League, Newcastle fans need no reminding to enjoy this season while their campaign lasts.

It's a view echoed by some of the heroes from that glorious European run in the 2002-03 season.

"It is only now that I look back and think, 'Wow!'" Lomana Tresor Lua Lua told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Back then, I was young and did not really clock it.

"Everything just seemed normal, but it was not. Going to all these places [the San Siro, the Nou Camp etc] was amazing."

His young strike partner Shola Ameobi, who scored vital goals in the first group stage and came through the ranks at Newcastle agrees.

"It was one of the best moments I had as a footballer," he said. "Whenever I hear the Champions League song, my heart starts beating [faster]. I know how much it means to players and clubs and to have the opportunity to play in it at such a young age was tremendous.

"I am proud to have achieved something big at Newcastle."

Listen to a blow-by-blow account of the Champions League campaign on BBC Sounds