Newcastle may feel aggrieved at the controversial ending to their Champions League clash at the Parc des Princes - but the Magpies' European fate is still somewhat in their hands heading into the final group game. Their opponents next time around? An AC Milan in crisis.

The Italian outfit were humbled at the San Siro on Tuesday evening, losing 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund to leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. Their manager, Stefano Pioli, is seemingly in just as much danger after recent results.

The front pages of the Italian press on Wednesday piling more pressure on the Milan chief. Reports in Italy suggest a boardroom meeting was held just hours after the European defeat, with Pioli facing questions over his future.

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Italian journalist and CBS commentator, Matteo Bonetti, tweeted at full-time: "I think Pioli has ran his course with Milan and that their best days together are in the past."

Two-time AC Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi also had this to say: “The first thing that comes to me to write, and I write it with great regret, is that Milan have shown that they are not yet a team. And if you’re not a team, if you’re not a collective, if you play individually, if you don’t have the correct distances between departments and if you don’t press, you’re in trouble in Europe,” he said.

“This is what the match at San Siro against Borussia Dortmund said. Now the road to qualification for the Rossoneri is an almost impossible climb, a sort of Mortirolo to climb. I hope they succeed, even if other results have to be added, but the reality is that this Milan does not give peace of mind, does not convey security, does not have the necessary balance."

Pioli's ratings for the Dortmund clash looked bleak too. Gazzetta dello Sport: 5, Corriere dello Sport: 5, Tuttosport: 4.5 and Corriere della Sera: 5.

Couple AC Milan's current woes with the fact Newcastle will be more than ready for the St James' Park clash next month given Tuesday's VAR heartbreak at the Parc des Princes, Eddie Howe's side will be the overwhelming favourites for the Champions League finale.

Only a win against Milan on December 13 will be enough for Newcastle to progress to the Champions League knockout stages. A draw or a defeat wouldn't be enough to catch PSG, who are two points ahead.

However, a win for Howe's side would be pointless if PSG manage to pick up all three points at Signal Iduna Park.