Despite a late goal, Newcastle United were no match for Hansi Flick’s world-class Barcelona side.
It was an evening full of promise, but unfortunately, the Magpies were unable to take full advantage of an immense crowd at St James’ Park to secure their first win in the updated Champions League format.
Barcelona scored two goals just like they did in 1997, but Newcastle United opted against starting a striker who could have worked wonders like Tino Asprilla did 28 years ago.
A brace from Marcus Rashford was enough to seal the deal for Hansi Flick’s side, which was brimming with quality despite the absence of Lamine Yamal, who Raphinha hastily replaced in the starting XI.
Eddie Howe can take some confidence from his team’s performance despite the defeat, with Anthony Elanga looking immense in his first Champions League appearance since making a £55m move to Tyneside. However, it was Howe’s decision regarding him which left fans feeling bemused.
- Champions League: Newcastle United European fixture schedule and how to watch every league phase game
Newcastle United fans think Anthony Elanga should not have been substituted
Elanga’s pace was something to behold in the first half. On multiple occasions, the 23-year-old sprinted past Gerrard Martin as if he was not even there. Elanga was unlucky not to register his first assist for the club in the first half, when Anthony Gordon completely misfired on an effort early on, before Joan Garcia saved Harvey Barnes’ close-range effort.
However, the winger was taken off just a few minutes after Barcelona’s first goal, much to the surprise of the Newcastle fans on the social media platform X.
“Howe took Elanga off?” said one fan, while another added: “Newcastle lost a lot of zip when Elanga went off.”
This Newcastle fan thinks a lot of dynamism was lost with the substitution, saying: “Elanga was the only threat, then they took him off.”
“Howe made a mistake taking off Elanga, and he was not happy, and I don’t blame him.”
Another fan added: “To be honest was stunned when Elanga come off, was our best player, Gordon got the goal but he was shocking, Thiaw looked brilliant.”
Finally, this Newcastle fan said: “That loss was on Eddie Howe. Willock in for what exactly?? Why did he have to take Elanga out? Gordon scored, but the only player worse than him across both teams on the field today was Tonali…why wasn’t he subbed off?”
Newcastle United may have won if Eddie Howe started a striker
In the end, one could argue that the call to take Elanga off was the right call, with Jacob Murphy bagging an assist for Gordon’s goal in added time.
However, fans will be left thinking what the result could have been if Howe had opted to play Nick Woltemade as the striker, with Gordon on the left-hand side.
Barnes looked shaky throughout the game, and was perhaps lucky to start the game after the way he has performed in the opening few games of the Premier League season.
Woltemade came on eventually, and while he did not pull up any trees with his performance, his presence as a striker was enough to strike a bit more fear into the Barcelona defence. Howe needs to reassess his game plans going forward, but should still take some pride in the way their team played against one of the best sides in the world, no matter who they were missing.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
