Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has been praised by the Italian media after Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of AC Milan.
Newcastle fans were dreaming of the Champions League knockout stages on Wednesday night – but ended up out of Europe entirely.
It all started so well with Joelinton putting Newcastle in front against AC Milan with a powerful strike.
When Borussia Dortmund scored against Paris Saint-Germain in the group’s other game, St James’ Park erupted with fans believing that Newcastle were going through.
PSG equalised and Milan turned the game on its head, beating Newcastle 2-1 to sneak into the Europa League and send Newcastle packing.
Italian media impressed with Joelinton in Newcastle United defeat
Newcastle fans will still be proud of their side and will have enjoyed a long-awaited return to Champions League action.
The big home win over Paris Saint-Germain will live long in the memory but injuries seemed to catch up with them.
The Magpies have been down to the bare bones of late and have been calling on the same players again and again.
Newcastle ran out of steam against Milan but one player seemingly impressed the Italian media.
Tuttomercatoweb rated Joelinton as the only Newcastle player above a 6.5 rating, stating that he was ‘certainly the best’ in the Magpies side.
They noted that Joelinton kept breaking into the Milan area and was Newcastle’s ‘most positive’ player even when others struggled.
“The Brazilian is certainly the best of his team. He continuously besieges the opponent’s area and, with one of his insertions, finalises an action started by Gordon and finished by Miley, scoring the 1-0. The most positive even when the rest of the team is suffering,” they wrote.
Joelinton certainly took his goal well, giving Mike Maignan no chance as he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Some will probably wonder where that kind of finishing was when Joelinton was a striker rather than a midfielder!
The 27-year-old recorded four shots, three on target, four key passes, four successful dribbles and one interception in a strong performance.
It wasn’t enough to send Newcastle through but Joelinton can certainly be proud of his own efforts in Wednesday’s defeat.
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