From the reports from Murcia, Spain today not much has changed with Newcastle squandering many chances that should have given the Magpies a comfortable win over CSKA Moscow but the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sounds far too familiar and was the same score as against Royal Antwerp a year ago in the same stadium – the Pinatar Arena.
Both new boys Alrmron and Barreca started the game.
? TEAM NEWS ?
Watch LIVE as Newcastle United take on CSKA Moscow: https://t.co/LJzQre05Tb #NUFC pic.twitter.com/nUymhZyxTC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 16, 2019
The Newcastle side lacked punch in the final third of the field in the game even after Salomon Rondon opened the scoring in very windy conditions.
Newcastle started the game playing in a 3-4-3 formation and created an opportunity after only a couple of minutes when Kenedy set up a chance for Salomon Rondon but the Venezuelan was unable to connect.
Newcastle opened the scoring after 16 minutes and it was a right-wing cross from US International DeAndre Yedlin that Rondon chested down nicely before hitting a sweet shot into the corner of the net.
Newcastle’s lack of quality inside the opposing penalty was there for all to see and we need at least one new striker brought in during the summer.
If we had some top strikers in the side this game would have been over by half time.
But just four minutes before the break, CSKA Moscow Fyodor Chalov forced Karl Darlow into a good save but Abel Hernandez put the ball in the back of the net for the equalizer.
Salomon Rondon – after scoring
Newcastle could have gone ahead early in the second half when Joselu got around the goalkeeper but Rodrigo Becao cleared off the line.
Joselu was then clean through on goal but the Spaniard shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Matt Ritchie took a free kick outside the penalty area but shot straight at the goalkeeper as Newcastle tried to regain the lead.
But it was frustrating for Newcastle with the side looking solid at the back but unable to score even though the team set up a number of good chances.
So it seems like the same old same old.
We must convert some of these chances we create in our next two league games at home to Huddersfield and Burnley – two games we have to win.
The only player not to play today was Martin Dubravka and 22 players were given a chance in the game.
Jonjo Shelvey and Ciaran Clark did not make the squad and both have to be doubtful for the upcoming game at home Huddersfield a week today.
Comments welcome
15 comments so far
hibbit
Feb 16, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Comment #1did miss I some think here was that a champions league semi final against CSKA Moscow or a warm weather training ground kick about ????
the criticism as normal on here is way over the top !!!
Mag :P
Feb 16, 2019 at 1:51 PM
Comment #2Hibbit
Can you please translate that first sentence to English?
Can’t figure out what you are meant to be saying.
martoon
Feb 16, 2019 at 1:52 PM
Comment #3I’m sure we all said about Almiron let’s give the kid a chance it will take him a while to settle – obviously some of us weren’t listening!
Markaccus
Feb 16, 2019 at 1:52 PM
Comment #4F##cking hell!
Almiron has a bit part v wolves and 45 mins in a kickabout, and the media and some fans are already putting question marks on him. Do these people exist solely to whinge?
Markaccus
Feb 16, 2019 at 1:54 PM
Comment #5Mag
Think Hibbit is asking if that was a mid season freindly or a champions league semi. Peoplr are complaining as if it was the latter
hibbit
Feb 16, 2019 at 1:59 PM
Comment #6Markaccus @5
could not have put it better myself,
Thank You
Jib
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Comment #7I thought that feller writing about Almiron in the
Sun should have stuck to singing with Whitesnake
he knows fcukall about footy.
Markaccus
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:05 PM
Comment #8Jib
Yeah he’s been fired so many times, the song “here I go again (as a free lance gutter journo)” was written for him. Unless he fulls his carrer gaps as a rent boy, then “slide it in” wpuld suit better.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:05 PM
Comment #9hibbit,
To be fair it’s been quite mild compared to the frothing hysterics of RUNAWAY777 and co in last year’s friendly.
Markaccus
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:06 PM
Comment #10Fills. Would. *
Markaccus
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #11We should be “A fool for his BS no more”
This could run all day
Mag52
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Comment #12Hey, those were the days when we could dare to dream of holding CSKA to a 1-1 draw in a champions league semi.
Markaccus
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Comment #13Mag52
Exactly. But apparently it’s all Almirons fault 😀
Jail for Ashley
Feb 16, 2019 at 2:34 PM
Comment #14Unfortunately because of our owners parsimonious ways if Almiron doesn’t hit the ground running, one of the world’s most decorated managers will be reduced to donkey status by the match day commentators. Remember though that Almiron, just because he is our record signing is no Alan Shearer or Michael Owen, that would be like spending 80M+ nowadays, he’s cost 21M in an age where Troy Deeney is valued the same. If Rafa had of bought Cenk Tosun he would have been vilified by Munster and co, let’s give this lad a chance and not expect miracles of him, because let’s face it 21M isn’t Messi money these days.
Munster Mag
Feb 16, 2019 at 3:39 PM
Comment #15Naughty jail. I wudnt vilify him. But if a manager buys a dud then yes, he can expect criticism. Of course you never repeat the compliments I have given rafa and his recruitment team. But then you have an agenda with me so you close your eyes when you want. Have you apologised to Jib yet for saying what you did about young men in taxis? You sad sick little dog.