The young Magpies, overseen by Ben Dawson and Neil Winskill, conceded three times in the first half of their Group F clash following Chaka Traore’s close-range finish and Francesco Camarda’s clinical brace.
Kevin Zeroli’s penalty extended Milan’s advantage further during the closing stages in Italy as Newcastle’s maiden campaign in the competition began in difficult fashion.
Newcastle fell behind in the 15th minute as Traore broke the deadlock for Milan. After Filippo Scotti raced onto a lofted pass, the right winger’s inviting low cross found Traore at the back post who fired a first time effort into the net via the left-hand post.
United’s youngsters were dealt a further blow in the 20th minute as Camarda doubled Milan’s lead from the penalty spot. After Charlie McArthur was adjudged to bundle over the Italian striker inside the box, the 15-year-old converted the resulting spot kick into the bottom right-hand corner, despite Magpies goalkeeper Adam Harrison guessing the correct way.
In the 26th minute, Newcastle conceded a third as Camarda netted his second of the afternoon. After Scotti completed a dangerous run from distance, the 16-year-old forward thread a teasing ball into Camarda’s path, who rifled a first-time effort into the roof of the net.
The visitors attempted to find a way back into the contest before the half-time whistle and were appealing for a penalty after Ben Parkinson, who made his Magpies first-team debut during a 3-2 pre-season friendly win against Gateshead in July 2023, appeared to be brought down by Milan centre-back 3Clinton Nsiala-Makengo on the byline but Austrian referee Stefan Ebner awarded a free-kick to the teenager’s frustration.
The Durham-born youngster was unable to narrow the deficit minutes later as the 18-year-old latched onto James Huntley’s low cross from the byline, following terrific work from the latter, but his close-range effort was blocked by Milan goalkeeper Andrea Bartoccioni before the loose ball was cleared to safety.
Parkinson went close to pulling a goal back for the young Magpies after connecting with Jamie Miley’s hanging corner but the teenage forward’s header inside the penalty area was directed over the bar.
In the 75th minute, Newcastle conceded a fourth as Milan netted their second penalty of the encounter through Zerioli. After Camarda was barged over by substitute Rory Powell, the Milan skipper placed his attempt from 12 yards into the bottom left-hand corner.
Newcastle United Under-19s: Adam Harrison, Ciaran Thompson (Rory Powell 60), Cathal Heffernan, Charlie McArthur, Dylan Charlton (Thomas Bryant 46), Jamie Miley (c), Travis Hernes (Ellis Stanton 72), James Huntley (Anthony Munda 60), Ben Parkinson, Johnny Emerson, Josh Donaldson (Sean Neave 60).
Subs not used: Adrian Janusz, Luke Craggs.
Photograph courtesy of AC Milan
