Big Match Feature: AC Milan v Newcastle

Newcastle United return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 21 seasons with a glamour contest at San Siro against last season's semi-finalists AC Milan.

While the Magpies are in the group stage for the first time since 2002/03 and just the third overall, seven-time European champions Milan are featuring for the third season in a row and last season reached the knockout rounds for the first time since 2013/14.

This is the sides' first meeting and each will be eager for an opening victory with French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund also in Group F.

Form guide

Milan

Record vs English clubs: W12 D13 L19 F47 A55

Home record vs English clubs: W9 D4 L7

Milan ended a five-game losing streak against Premier League opposition with a 1-0 home win against Tottenham in last season's round of 16 first leg, going through after a goalless second leg in north London.

Milan had lost their previous four home games against English visitors and seven of the eight before the win against Spurs.

That was the Rossoneri's first victory against English clubs in ten games (D1 L8), since a 4-0 success against Spurs' local rivals Arsenal in the 2011/12 round of 16 first leg.

The victories against Arsenal and Spurs at San Siro are Milan's only wins in their last 19 games against Premier League opponents (D5 L12).

Milan are making their third successive Champions League group appearance and a 20th overall, three behind Juventus's Italian record of 23.

The seven-time European champions – who claimed their first title at Wembley, the venue for this season's final, in 1963 – reached the knockout rounds for the first time since 2013/14 last season. They finished second behind Chelsea in Group E and then knocked out