Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United ‘injury’ substitution v AC Milan
It was an emotional AC Milan return for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Tonali returned to the San Siro when the Champions League group stage began, less than three months after leaving his childhood club to join Newcastle.
Tonali was a slight question mark going into the game after suffering a thigh injury while traveling with Italy during the break. The 23-year-old returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday against his former team after being an inactive substitute against Brentford on Saturday.
Newcastle managed to stave off the seven-time European winners and secure a point despite having just one shot on goal for the entire game.
Eddie Howe, the head coach of the Magpies, was delighted with Tonali’s performance that evening.
Howe added, “I think Sandro did well. “Clearly a sensitive event for him. I don’t think anyone could have accurately predicted how he would have felt before the game, but he was a key component of our strong first-half defensive effort. How he felt before the game was particular to him.
He has every right to feel proud and happy. He did a great job of presenting himself, and I anticipate more from him.
Tonali was on the field for 72 minutes before being replaced by Elliot Anderson. Howe acknowledged that the Italian’s recent injury was the cause of the move.
Howe further elaborated on the adjustment, saying, “Of course we had to manage him with his recent injury towards the end of the game.”
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