Newcastle suffered a damaging Champions League defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund at Signal-Iduna Park.
Niclas Fullkrug’s goal put the Bundesliga side ahead midway through the first half and though Joelinton had chances to level things up for Newcastle, Julian Brandt’s late strike on the counter-attack ended any hope of a comeback for Eddie Howe’s side.
The result leaves Newcastle with work to do if they are to qualify for the knockout stages. They are now three points behind Dortmund with an away tie against Paris Saint-Germain up next, one that could end their hopes of progression if results do not go their way.
How Newcastle’s night went awry
Howe dropped Anthony Gordon, scorer of the winner against Arsenal on Saturday, to the bench along with Miguel Almiron as the Newcastle boss was forced to use his squad. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall had only started Carabao Cup games prior to this.
It was a test for them in the early stages as Dortmund, roared on by that huge home support, had the better of it from the outset. That period of pressure was rewarded when Marcel Sabitzer’s cut-back found the left foot of Fullkrug, who pounced to score.
Dortmund had been thrashed by Bayern Munich in the same stadium at the weekend but the support was typically vociferous and perhaps Newcastle were unfortunate to feel the backlash. Saturday’s loss remains Dortmund’s only home defeat in over a year.
Newcastle did respond and had opportunities to level it up before the interval. Joelinton failed to control the ball when put through and the tall Brazilian was then unable to get enough behind a header that was saved comfortably enough by Gregor Kobel.
The introduction of Gordon and Almiron added some impetus and Joelinton missed the clearest of his chances early in the second half, heading Livramento’s dangerous cross wide of the post from point-blank range. The game was in the balance at that stage.
But forced to open up in search of the equaliser, Newcastle were picked off. The lively Karim Adeyemi sprang the counter-attack that left Livramento up against two players. He backed off Brandt who capitalised, finishing low to Nick Pope’s left to end it as a contest.
Newcastle’s players applauded the away support at the end and have had their moments in this campaign. But these back-to-back defeats to Dortmund mean they will need something special if the adventure is to continue into the knockout stages.
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Newcastle fans were in full voice in Dortmund before the game
Howe: We have to win our last two games
Speaking afterwards, the Newcastle boss reflected on a sub-par display that hinged on Joelinton’s miss and the restrictions placed on him by injuries.
“We weren’t at our best tonight, the intensity, quality of our normal game was missing,” said Howe.
“But in saying that we had our moments. Joelinton’s header is the key moment in our assessment. It was a really good move, he would back himself to score that if he came in again. That’s football, it happens. Since he’s come back from injury, he’s been outstanding.”
Howe added: “From our side, we weren’t far away tonight. Us at our very best, even with the number of players we have out, are good enough. This game came a day too early. If our best version of ourselves then the result would have been different.”
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Eddie Howe says Newcastle’s ‘normal quality was missing’ and they are ‘really stretched’
He explained the decision to take off Hall, who was on a booking. “We couldn’t afford to go down to 10 men.”
Callum Wilson, meanwhile, was withdrawn because of the risk of injury. “Callum was feeling tightness in his hamstring so that forced our hand.”
With Newcastle in third spot in Group F and facing Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital next time out, they find themselves in a vulnerable position. But when asked about the permutations, Howe remained hopeful. “We have to win our last two games.”
Newcastle’s defeat in stats
- Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last seven Champions League home matches conceding just one goal.
- Newcastle have failed to score in either of their Champions League away matches this season and remain without a win in such a match since 2003.
- Dortmund have won home and away against an English side in a Champions League campaign for the first time since they beat Manchester United in the semi-final in 1997.
- Newcastle became the first team to have eight or more English players start a Champions League match since Manchester United in 1997.
Newcastle’s remaining Champions League fixtures
November 28: Paris Saint-Germain (A) – kick-off 8pm
December 13: AC Milan (H) – kick-off 8pm
What’s next?
Saturday 11th November 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
Newcastle return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to face head coach Eddie Howe’s former club Bournemouth, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 5.30pm).
Up next for Borussia Dortmund is a trip to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).
