Sean Longstaff underlines Newcastle United's Champions League approach and choice of DVD in pre-game build-up
Newcastle United players turned back the clock to watch the class of 2003 before the match
Sean Longstaff has described Newcastle United's return to the Champions League as "an education" after holding AC Milan to a 0-0 draw at the San Siro.
The point was celebrated by fans here in Italy last night after Nick Pope's first half saves secured a shutout and got Group F off to a good start. But for Longstaff - who could have nicked a win when his late shot was tipped over the bar - he knows that the narrative is clear for United after they returned to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Longstaff told Chronicle Live: "It was more a massive night for the club. It was probably a big chance at the end. We're disappointed we didn't make enough of things when we did have the ball around the box. Maybe a bit too eager to try and make something happen.
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"We're all learning about this level. It's different to a Premier League game and it is a learning curve. There were lots of positives in the end. We all put our bodies on the line and that is what going to be needed to make a run at this and get out of the group. Like I say this is a night we can probably build on."
Longstaff watched the famous Flying High DVD ahead of the game to get in the spirit of things and he shared memories from that campaign with another boyhood fan Jacob Murphy.
Longstaff said: "It is really special. Me and Jacob Murphy knew we'd be playing together and makes you really proud. As friends and fans of the club. We knew we could walk out on to the San Siro side by side.
"You remember watching Newcastle in the Champions League. We were sat having breakfast talking about the Flying High DVD. The one where we beat Feyenoord away in the last minute. To do it for ourselves is really special."
Newcastle now have a two week break in the competition before they face Paris St-Germain and Kylian Mbappé in the next group encounter.
Longstaff added: "We have to look at it now and say we know something about the competition. It is about believing that and make it as hard for other team."