Newcastle United head into their next Champions League test knowing that Bayer Leverkusen will arrive with something to prove after a chaotic and disappointing weekend in the Bundesliga.
The German side suffered a 2-0 defeat to FC Augsburg, a result that halted their momentum just days before meeting Newcastle on Wednesday night. It was a surprising setback for a team that had recently been riding high after an impressive victory over Borussia Dortmund, a win that strengthened their reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s most energetic and dangerous sides this season.
The defeat at the WWK Arena came as Augsburg struck twice before half-time, with Dimitrios Giannoulis and Anton Kade taking advantage of a strangely flat Leverkusen performance.
Despite heavy pressure from Leverkusen throughout the second half, Augsburg stayed organised and refused to let the visitors back into the game. Leverkusen created chances, but none were taken, leaving them frustrated heading into the closing stages.
One of the biggest moments fell to former Southampton winger Nathan Tella, who was introduced from the bench in the 61st minute. The expectation was that his pace and directness might breathe life into Leverkusen’s attack, and he did manage to get himself into promising positions.
However, the turning point came in the 75th minute when he found himself facing an open goal, only to somehow put the chance wide. It was a miss that left teammates stunned and fans holding their heads in disbelief.
Things quickly got worse for Tella, as the match spiralled into a heated confrontation just moments later. Augsburg midfielder Kristijan Jakic sparked the initial flashpoint by putting an arm into the face of Malik Tillman, a move that immediately escalated tensions on the pitch.
Within seconds, players from both sides were involved and crowding around the incident. Tella, still visibly emotional from his missed chance, was shoved aggressively by Jakic.
That shove pushed him over the edge, and he looked a split-second away from retaliating before his captain stepped in.
Midfielder Robert Andrich reacted with the urgency of someone who knew the stakes were high, sprinting into the chaos and grabbing Tella before he could respond.
He pulled him away forcefully, shouting instructions and trying to stop the situation from turning into something worse. The exchange looked heated, but it may have prevented Tella from making a costly mistake.
Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes later backed Andrich’s intervention, explaining that it was an act of leadership and something he had done many times himself during his own playing days.
He defended the captain’s decision to get physical with his own teammate, insisting it was the correct way to stop the tension from boiling over.
While the incident has dominated headlines in Germany, Leverkusen’s focus now shifts to the Champions League, though they face uncertainty in their squad ahead of Newcastle’s visit.
The biggest concern surrounds Alejandro Grimaldo, one of their most important attacking wing-backs. He was absent from the starting lineup at the weekend, with manager Kasper Hjulmand revealing that the Spaniard has been nursing a knock since the last international break.
Although Grimaldo played through discomfort for several matches, the Augsburg game arrived too soon. Hjulmand admitted they are hopeful he could return in time for the Newcastle match but made it clear there are no guarantees.
Leverkusen will still be without Exequiel Palacios, who is recovering from a tendon issue that required surgery, ruling him out until the new year. Ezequiel Fernandez is another confirmed absentee, sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
The German side will therefore rely heavily on the depth of their squad as they attempt to bounce back from a frustrating weekend.
Despite the Augsburg loss, Leverkusen remain one of the strongest teams in the Bundesliga this season. They sit fourth in the table and have produced excellent performances in both domestic and European competitions.
Since their defeat to Bayern Munich in early November, they have won five of their last seven matches, including a cup victory over Dortmund and impressive Champions League wins against Benfica and Manchester City.
Their triumph over City, even though Guardiola rotated his squad, was a reminder of the quality and confidence Hjulmand’s team possesses. Grimaldo and prolific forward Patrik Schick were the stars that evening, showcasing the attacking threat Newcastle will need to watch closely.
As Wednesday approaches, Newcastle know they will be facing a team that blends intensity with technical quality, but also one that has shown signs of emotional vulnerability.
Leverkusen’s weekend collapse, both tactically and temperamentally, may offer an opening. However, if the German side respond with the same fire that sparked their on-pitch chaos in Augsburg, Newcastle should expect a fierce battle under the Champions League lights.
