AC Milan star makes humble apology ahead of Newcastle United Champions League tie

Simon Kjaer has issued a passionate apology to AC Milan supporters after they rounded off their preparations for their Champions League meeting with Newcastle United by crashing to a 5-1 defeat against bitter rivals Inter.

The first Derby della Madonnina of the season went the way of the Nerazzurri as a brace from former Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a goal apiece from Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Davide Frattesi and former Newcastle target Marcus Thuram gave Inter their biggest win over the city rivals since 2009.

Denmark international Kjaer admitted there was ‘work to be done’ as his side prepare for their home clash with the Magpies and revealed he felt sorry for the Rossoneri supporters.

He told DAZN: “A game like this, a derby, weighs a lot. I’m really sorry, especially for the fans. They were smarter than us tonight in certain situations, more determined.

“Until 3-1 we played the game, then we lost a little at the end. I’m so sorry for the fans, we know how much a game like this weighs. Tomorrow there is work to be done again.

“We had accepted that these are the characteristics of Inter. We thought that with our strength and our way of playing we could win. Tonight they were good with the insertions of the midfielders. We have to work on that. Milan’s path will always be to play our football. Tonight we lost badly, but it’s a path. I’m sorry for the fans.”

Meanwhile, Spanish referee Jose Sanchez has been appointed to take charge of Tuesday night’s meeting at the San Siro. The 39-year-old officiated two games in last season’s competition after overseeing Eintracht Frankfurt’s 1-0 win at Marseille and Liverpool’s 3-0 victory against Ajax.