Newcastle United received a setback following their defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. In this latest Champions League match, Newcastle United lost to Borussia Dortmund, and journalist Ben Jacobs has provided insights into Eddie Howe’s sentiments and concerns in an interview with GIVEMESPORT.
Losing to a European powerhouse like Dortmund is not a cause for shame, and it’s unlikely that Eddie Howe is dwelling too much on the loss. However, certain issues have arisen from the game that could shed light on some significant problems at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s return to European football has generally been a success. The club finished fourth in the Premier League last season, earning them a spot in the Champions League alongside heavyweights like Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan.
In their initial game, Newcastle faced AC Milan at the San Siro, where Howe’s team managed to secure an impressive draw, kickstarting their campaign. Next, they faced PSG and produced a surprising 4-1 victory at St James’ Park, showcasing their ability to compete with Europe’s top teams.
However, a defeat at home to Dortmund followed, and injuries to Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy during the game added to the disappointment. While the first Champions League loss was a nightmare scenario, the potential unavailability of Isak and Murphy due to injuries only made matters worse.
Newcastle now faces a challenging series of matches in three different competitions. After the Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, they travel to Manchester United in the EFL Cup, seeking revenge for their defeat in the Wembley final last season. They then host Arsenal in the Premier League before returning to Germany to face Dortmund again.
Ben Jacobs provided an update on the situation at St James’ Park. He suggested that Eddie Howe is the type of manager who remains composed after a defeat and believes his team can learn from the Dortmund game. Jacobs noted that Isak’s injury is a concern, but in terms of the result, Newcastle is not in a panic and can bounce back when they face Dortmund away in their next European match. Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs stated:
“It was likely a combination of Dortmund performing exceptionally well and Newcastle falling slightly short, resulting in their loss. Losing Alexander Isak to injury is a concern, but Eddie Howe is typically level-headed, and he believes his team can learn from this experience. It will be beneficial for Newcastle to face Dortmund away immediately after the home match because it’s still fresh in their memory. I wouldn’t be surprised if Newcastle, a
strong away team, manages to secure a positive result against Dortmund. Given the competitiveness of their group, it’s crucial for their qualification for the knockout stage. Newcastle will handle the loss pragmatically; there won’t be any panic. Everyone understands the challenges of this tough group. It’s disappointing because the home game against Dortmund felt like a cup final, and a win would have put Newcastle on the brink of securing at least a second-place finish.”
| Newcastle United Premier League Stats Wilson v Isak | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wilson | Isak | |
| Average Rating | 6.80 | 7.06 |
| Goals | 5 | 6 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Shots Per Game | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| Dribbles Per Game | 0.8 | 1.5 |
| All stats according to WhoScored | ||
Isak’s injury raises concerns for Eddie Howe. While Callum Wilson can step in during Isak’s absence, there is a worry about the team’s attacking depth. Wilson has faced recurring injuries during his time at Newcastle, notably with hamstring problems. If Wilson experiences another setback and Isak remains sidelined, Howe may have to deploy a player in an unfamiliar center-forward role, as the club lacks other senior strikers. After the Dortmund game, Howe acknowledged that Isak’s injury wasn’t severe but sufficient to keep him out of the game against Wolves.
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