Newcastle United finally lost the Sela Cup following a 2-0 defeat to fellow Champions League qualifiers at St James’ Park.
Saturday’s test was undoubtedly the Magpies’ biggest test of pre-season, and after a positive first half which saw big chances missed from both sides, there was hope that a win was on the horizon and the Sela Cup would be staying on Tyneside for a third successive year.
Eddie Howe put out a new-look Newcastle United squad, with Anthony Elanga getting his first St James’ Park runout since signing from Nottingham Forest last month.
Elsewhere, there was a rare start for defender Harrison Ashby, who played as a midfielder for the game, while Anthony Gordon played as a striker in the absence of Alexander Isak, who is still hoping a move away from Newcastle is going to happen.
The Atletico Madrid game spells the end of Newcastle’s rather dismal pre-season, with the first Premier League game against Aston Villa on the horizon.
Here are five things learned from the Atletico friendly.
Anthony Gordon leaves the pitch with a physio after suffering an injury.
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Anthony Gordon offered hope before worrying injury blow
Howe is not ready to bring Isak back into Newcastle training, so other players have taken his place in the meantime.
William Osula has filled in for Isak throughout pre-season, but it was Gordon’s turn to start up-front for the Magpies. The 24-year-old put in a positive performance at striker, with his pace proving a problem for Atletico’s defenders.
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However, disaster struck when Gordon went down holding his hamstring late into the game. He was able to get up and walk down the tunnel himself, but the hope will be that the problem is not serious.
Newcastle are hopeful of signing Yoane Wissa, who is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, but many defences in the top flight will still surely be worried about playing against a front three with so much pace.
Harvey Barnes on the ball during a friendly between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
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Same old fast and intense Newcastle United
While Newcastle’s starting XIs have included a mix of regular starters and fringe players, Howe has clearly been drilling the same instructions into his team.
The Magpies are known for pressing when off the ball and using their fast attackers on the counter. That mantra was evident in the Atletico game, with Elanga looking rapid throughout.
Newcastle’s pressing throughout the Sela Weekender has been admirable. Their best work was evident when they were able to break Espanyol down by pressing from the front, with Jacob Murphy finding the back of the net.
Harrison Ashby plays during a friendly between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
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Newcastle United need a new midfielder
This summer, Newcastle have sold Sean Longstaff to Leeds United and have seen Joe Willock, one of their backup options, pick up an injury which will keep him out until September.
Willock would have been involved in one of the two games this weekend, but his calf issue meant that Matt Targett and Harrison Ashby were used as makeshift central midfielders.
Targett scored against Espanyol, while Ashby looked bright in his 60-minute cameo before coming off for Alfie Harrison. However, it is clear that Howe cannot rely on those two players in the Premier League or Champions League next season.
A new midfielder must be signed so Newcastle have the depth required to be competitive next season. Malick Thiaw is set to join Newcastle after a fee of £35million was agreed with AC Milan, so they have their new centre-back. Priority can now be placed on signing a new defender.
Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon line up for a free-kick during a friendly between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
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Newcastle United end a woeful pre-season without a win
With the 2025/26 season on the horizon, morale could not be lower on Tyneside. The hope was that spirits could be lifted with a win for Newcastle, but they were simply outclassed by an Atletico Madrid side who were in the early stages of pre-season.
The defeat means that Howe’s side finishes pre-season without a win, having lost four of their six games.
Another worrying fact is that the majority of Newcastle’s opponents were against Champions League-level opposition, so expect them to struggle on the big stage if they continue to play the way they have.
A surefire way to end the misery on Tyneside is to make signings, and make them fast.
Eddie Howe during a pre-season game between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
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Eddie Howe’s side struggles to break down a low block, again
While Newcastle are known for their fast, fun attacking style of football, they are notorious for struggling against sides that play with a low block. Atletico are masters of the low block, and Diego Simeone gave Howe a brutal lesson on what not to do against those playstyles.
For both goals, Atletico were given acres of space and were able to play with far too much freedom inside Newcastle’s penalty area before scoring.
Newcastle are set to face several teams that play with a similar style in the Premier League next season, so they must do better when the time comes.