Newcastle’s pre-season has come to an end, with defeat perhaps appropriate at the end of a tough summer both on and off the pitch.
Over the last 24 hours, we’ve seen just over 82,000 come in and out of St James’ Park, watching Eddie Howe’s Mags draw 2-2 with Espanyol on Friday before today’s meeting with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid saw Diego Simeone’s men lift the Sela Cup.
We were up against tough opposition and the difference perhaps showed as they brought on French star Antoine Griezmann while our top striker Alexander Isak was sulking somewhere on Tyneside.
The lack of senior striker was obvious, as it has been for much of pre-season, and it was another match that highlighted several areas of the squad that must be addressed.
Thankfully, one of those – a centre-back – is set to be addresses, with £35m German giant Malick Thiaw set to join from AC Milan in a much-needed boost, but more must follow, with two strikers and at least one midfielder needed as Isak continues to throw his toys out of the pram.
Back to the game, our lack of options meant full-back Harrison Ashby started on the right of a midfield three, with Anthony Gordon in a false nine role and Alex Murphy on at half-time after Sven Botman returned with a positive albeit short 45-minute cameo.
A bright spark was Anthony Elanga. Like Park Seung-soo last night, he had the beating of his man and linked up well with Kieran Trippier down our right. Elanga’s crossing was mixed, but he looked sharp in a side that could’ve scored at least two in the first half had Joelinton been able to finish with his head.
The big Brazilian headed two over, glanced one wide and saw one huge chance headed straight at Oblak, Gordon was pressing well and Jamaal Lascelles was a solid presence at the back, delivering a solid display in his first St James’ Park start since recovering from an ACL injury.
Ashby settled into the game after a sloppy start, Tonali was a little slack by his usual high standards and Pope was a mixed bag, making a few good stops alongside some typically iffy moments with the ball at his feet!
Atleti’s opener came on 50 minutes as Julian Alvarez broke free on the counter and eventually tapped in at the back post from Baena’s cross, with their second coming as Griezmann took his finish early and slid past Pope after latching onto Sorloth’s lay-off.
As the Spaniards brought quality onto the pitch, we saw the likes of Alfie Harrison and Leo Shahar come on, seeing Howe hand short cameos to U21 talents who’ve been training with the first team of late.
Gordon went down holding his ankle and it didn’t look great as he headed down the tunnel, although it is nothing serious. His post on Instagram after the game confirmed this, with the winger saying: “Just twisted my ankle, no problems.’
That is a relief, but after no wins all pre-season, the ongoing Isak saga, too many failed transfer pursuits and two strikers still needed alongside a midfielder, we have a big few weeks ahead and a tough task away to Aston Villa a week today as we head into the 2025/26 season on the back foot and in need of a lift.
**(4-3-3):** Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Livramento – Ashby, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
**Subs**: Ruddy, Gillespie, Kuol, A. Murphy\*, Heffernan, Harrison, Bailey, Charlton, Sanusi, Shahar\*, Neave.
Howay the lads!