Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali has already had a pretty good month, what with him helping the Magpies win the Carabao Cup final and breaking their long trophy drought.
The Newcastle ace followed up that historic cup win with the opening goal for Italy in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final first-leg meeting against Germany.
In the ninth minute, Matteo Politano pulled the ball back into the path of Tonali – via a deflection – for the Newcastle star to sweep home from close range.
However, Germany turned the game around in the second half through goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka for a 2-1 win at the San Siro.
Nevertheless, Tonali and Italy still have a chance to progress to the semi-finals, with the second leg taking place in Dortmund on Sunday.
Plenty of AC Milan fans gave their thoughts on Tonali during and after the game, sending a clear message to the player and his former club.
AC Milan fans want Sandro Tonali back from Newcastle
Milan fans were unhappy that their club sold Tonali and expressed their desire to see the Newcastle star in black and red stripes once again.
“Number 8, and the goal under our sky,” one fan wrote on X. “This is a story that can only end one way. This is absurd, totally nonsense. Sandro Tonali will always be a player of Milan.”
Another said: “If it were up to me, I would swap Tonali for Reijnders tonight.
“This one has Milan in his heart, someone who could have truly become captain, Reijnders is one of the many passing through.”
The comments kept coming, with one Milan fan saying: “Whoever decided to sell Tonali is a scoundrel. Just like the fans who supported such madness.”
Another wrote: “When Italy plays, we Milan fans suffer 3 times.
“Obviously for the national team, for the lost phenomenon Tonali, and finally because in the national team there is not a player from Milan.”
Another said: “Now I only watch the national team for Sandro Tonali, son of Milan, who scored at home today… how I miss him… this will never go away… please bring him back to Milan.”
How Sandro Tonali fared against Germany
As well as scoring, the Newcastle man was probably Italy’s best player on the night and clocked up some solid stats.
| Sandro Tonali stats v Germany | |
| Goals | 1 |
| Touches | 51 |
| Accurate passes | 27/29 (93%) |
| Key passes | 2 |
| Long balls (acc.) | 3 (3) |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Shots on target | 2 |
| Dribble attempts (succ.) | 3 (2) |
| Ground duels (won) | 10 (7) |
| Clearances | 1 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| Total tackles | 4 |
Tonali completed 27 of his 29 passes on the night, made two key passes, created one big chance and had two shots on target.
In addition, he won seven ground duels and chipped in with four tackles, three interceptions and one clearance.
Tonali is going from strength to strength at Newcastle and, sadly for Milan fans, it doesn’t look as though he’ll be going anywhere in the near future.
Despite speculation over the summer, Newcastle never wanted to sell Tonali, even if there was interest from the Serie A.
