Newcastle United travelled to Germany for a Champions League match they simply had to win, but instead they left with a draw that felt more like a missed opportunity. The night began badly, improved briefly, and ended with more frustration than celebration.
It was a match full of effort, tension and drama, but also one filled with costly errors from players who are usually far more reliable. And while Sandro Tonali had a difficult evening, he was not the only Magpies star who found the match tougher than expected.
Newcastle fell behind after just 13 minutes when an unlucky moment saw Bruno Guimarães unintentionally divert the ball into his own net. The midfielder had his back turned when the ball was headed against him, leaving him helpless to react.
It was a harsh way to start such an important game, especially when Newcastle had gone into the match knowing they needed nothing less than a win to keep their hopes alive.
The Premier League side didn’t find their equaliser until the second half. Anthony Gordon stepped up with confidence and scored yet another penalty, continuing his excellent run of form from the spot. With the pressure rising, Newcastle finally looked alive.
Then came the moment that should have secured the victory. Homegrown star Lewis Miley, full of energy and bravery, charged into the box to meet Gordon’s cross and headed Newcastle into a 2-1 lead. It was a moment that showed his maturity, his timing and his growing importance to this team.
But the lead did not last. In the 88th minute, Leverkusen produced a smooth attacking move, slicing through Newcastle’s defence far too easily. Alejandro Grimaldo drifted into the box unmarked, slipped past Sandro Tonali and finished calmly to level the game. The late equaliser cut deep, not only because it cost Newcastle two vital points, but also because it exposed the side’s weakness in crucial moments.
Tonali had one of his most disappointing matches since arriving at the club. Usually a calm presence in midfield and someone Eddie Howe relies on to control the rhythm of the game, he never quite settled into the match.
Playing alongside Guimarães, he struggled to hold onto the ball, lost possession eight times and completed only 88% of his passes. There was even a moment where he slipped at the wrong time, allowing Leverkusen to break forward and threaten on the counter.
His defensive awareness was also questioned particularly on Grimaldo’s equaliser, where he failed to track the Spaniard’s run. Journalist Luke Edwards didn’t hold back, calling Tonali “really poor” on the night.
But despite Tonali’s struggles, he wasn’t the only player who failed to deliver. In fact, he may not have been Newcastle’s biggest problem on the pitch.
Malick Thiaw had perhaps the most difficult evening of all. The German defender returned to his home country in what should have been a proud moment, but instead produced one of his worst performances in a Newcastle shirt.
He was described as “lucky not to be sent off” by reporter Craig Hope after committing a dangerous foul on the edge of the penalty area. Tom Bellwood of Goal rated him only 6/10 and noted that many believed he was fortunate to stay on the pitch at all.
Thiaw’s numbers weren’t disastrous, but they painted the picture of a player who wasn’t fully in control. He lost the ball three times, won only five of his eight duels and committed that risky foul on Patrick Schick that left supporters holding their breath. These are the type of mistakes that stand out in a tight Champions League match.
Below is a table showing Thiaw’s key stats from the match:
Malick Thiaw vs. Bayer Leverkusen
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Touches | 65 |
| Passes completed | 40/43 |
| Ground duels won | 3/5 |
| Aerial duels won | 2/3 |
| Times possession lost | 3 |
| Fouls committed | 1 |
While those numbers are not terrible, they don’t match the high standards Thiaw has set since joining Newcastle. He has been one of the standout signings of the summer, starting ten straight Premier League matches and looking every bit the reliable, powerful defender Howe hoped he would become.
But in Germany, he was far from his best. His awareness wasn’t sharp enough, his timing was off and he was part of the defensive line that allowed Grimaldo to sneak through and score.
This performance will likely be viewed as nothing more than a rare blip for a player who has generally been excellent. The 24-year-old, who earns £75k per week, will be determined to prove that this was a one-off mistake rather than a sign of something deeper.
And with a huge derby against Sunderland up next, there is no better time for him to respond. Newcastle will need focus, discipline and strength and Thiaw will be eager to show he can provide all three.
In the end, the night in Leverkusen was full of lessons. Newcastle showed fight, but also showed flaws. Tonali struggled, Thiaw had his worst game so far, and the team let a vital win slip away.
But the season goes on, and the next challenge arrives quickly. For Eddie Howe, it’s now about turning this disappointment into fuel because the derby against Sunderland demands nothing less than a strong, confident response.
