It’s Tonali’s first visit to the Emirates Stadium for Newcastle in an important Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. Newcastle are looking to reach their second Carabao Cup final in three seasons, but Tuesday’s game is set to be an incredibly tough challenge.
Newcastle haven’t won at the Emirates since November 2010, but they can take confidence from their recent performances. Eddie Howe’sside are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.
Newcastle’s win at Tottenham on Saturday was also the first of two trips to North London in less than a week.
Tonali has garnered praise from many fans and pundits in recent weeks – even a Newcastle legend recognised his qualities, Alan Shearer said Tonali was “really, really good in midfield” following a tactical change where the Italian plays in a deeper midfield role, giving the likes of Joelinton more freedom to roam around the pitch.
Recently, Tonali talked about his aspirations for the semi-final and how Newcastle’s first-team squad are feeling behind the scenes.
Tonali says Newcastle are “dreaming” of trophy win
Newcastle aim to win their first trophy since 1969this season. They’ve also got an FA Cup tie against Bromley to look forward to on Sunday.
For now, the attention is on the Carabao Cup – Newcastle will be eager to get a good result at the Emirates, giving them the advantage for the second leg at St James’ Park.
Tonali spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the tie.
“Maybe it’s crazy,” Tonali said.
“Maybe it’s a dream now for the fans after 70 years. Maybe we are dreaming also for us. The game will be difficult but we are Newcastle United, we need to play, do everything, run, (give) 100%.
“We play for the team, we play for the fans because they’ve dreamed of this for 70 years.
“When you arrive in the semi-final, everything is possible.”
Newcastle are without Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes on Tuesday through suspension.
The silver lining is that Tonali is available for Newcastle after avoiding a booking in the Magpies win against Brentford in the quarter-final.
Tonali wins two awards at Newcastle
Tonali was electric in the quarter-final. The 24-year-old scored a brace including a fine half-volley from outside the box – his first Newcastle goal since his debut strike against Aston Villa in August 2023.
His performance and strike earned him the Carabao Cup’s Player and Goal of the Round awards.
“I am really proud to receive these awards,” Tonali said on Newcastle’s website.
“The Brentford game was a special night for me, and I was very happy to help the team reach the semi-final. The Carabao Cup is an important competition for us and we want to keep going in this direction.”
Sandro Tonali makes “amazing” Newcastle vow and breaks silence on shock AC Milan exit
Italy international Sandro Tonali has moved to Tyneside in a big-money move and despite being a boyhood AC Milan fan, admitted the switch to St James’ Park was too good to turn down
Sandro Tonali has vowed to produce an “intense and amazing season” with NewcastleUnited in the Champions League.
The Italian international flew to Tyneside this week after his £55m switch from AC Milan, and admitted it was a move he couldn’t turn down. Tonali, 23, was expected to be a long servant for his home town club, but says the opportunity to join Newcastle’s rebuild was a great challenge to take on.
Eddie Howe met his new midfielder on Friday and his signing will ease the burden on Brazil playmaker Bruno Guimaraes. Tonali says he wants to be part of a team that ends the Geordies’ domestic trophy drought that dates back to 1955.
Tonali said: “It will be an intense and amazing season. It will be a great emotion to play here. My path with Milan ended in the Champions League semi final. In my first year we fought for the title and in my second we managed to win it. The third year we finished high in the rankings of the Champions League.
“Leaving Milan was one of my most difficult decisions as a footballer. Difficult, but it had to be done. The moment to do it had come and we decided to follow this path.
“After overcoming this it will be a steep learning curve. The whole journey will be difficult but it is a great opportunity and something to take on.
“This (Newcastle) is a project in progress that needs to be carried on. When a trophy has not come for a long time when it comes it is nicer. Waiting for it to happen is tough but when a trophy arrives you fully enjoy it.”
Newcastle qualified for the Champion League and will learn their group stage opponents on August 31.
Tonali added: “Playing in the Champions League has got something special about it. It will be more complicated beyond doubt. The Champions League brings out the best in a player. It is intense and the top level of football.”
He has been compared to Italian great Andrea Pirlo, but says there is another hero he is more similar to.
He said: “Comparisons can hurt you when you are young. If I had to choose a person in terms of similarity I would choose (Gennaro) Gattusso.”
United boss Eddie Howe pushed hard for the deal to be done and Tonali said: “Eddie Howe was one of the people who wanted me. I am looking forward to starting this journey with him.
“Everyone has told me nice things about him. They have told me his background and what this year was like with him. I hope to start this job soon.
“The ambition of every player is to come to a team and win. The first thing is to never stop, and then to win. Try to win as soon as possible. “
