Newcastle star ‘outsmarts’ Leverkusen as Anthony Gordon verdict shared – German media reacts to Champions League draw
Newcastle United came just minutes away from marking a famous Champions League victory against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
Alejandro Grimaldo’s late goal saw Newcastle draw 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena, with Eddie Howe‘s side left disappointed.
The Magpies had been behind after just 13 minutes, but battled back excellently and took the lead through Lewis Miley in the 74th minute.
Despite having been the topic of much discussion ahead of his return to Germany, Nick Woltemade was slammed for his performance against Leverkusen, despite winning a penalty in the second half.
It could have been a very different situation, however, with Malick Thiaw perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card for bringing down Patrick Schick in the first half.
German media highlight controversial Newcastle United moment
Despite the late equaliser, Howe would have been impressed with his team’s performance in a difficult venue.
Just last month, Leverkusen beat Manchester City 2-0, with the German side’s ability on full show despite several changes from Pep Guardiola.
Yet the Magpies came away from Wednesday’s game having enjoyed much of the action, offering more expected goals than the opposition, and having created more big chances.
| Bayer Leverkusen | Match stats | Newcastle United |
| 51% | Possession | 49% |
| 17 | Shots | 13 |
| 7 | On target | 5 |
| 1.20 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.06 |
| 1 | Big chances | 3 |
Despite the stats, German publication Kicker described Leverkusen as “the more dangerous side” in their report of the first half.
The outlet praised Aaron Ramsdale, who made “two excellent saves” before the break, and admitted that in the second half, “Newcastle looked more dangerous.”
“The impressive [Anthony] Gordon hit the inside of the post in the 63rd minute,” Kicker wrote on Wednesday.
BILD focused more on the game’s controversial moments. “Former VfB Stuttgart star Woltemade outsmarts Leverkusen goalkeeper Flekken,” the publication wrote.
“The German international cheekily runs at the Leverkusen keeper after a back pass, forcing him into a dribble. Flekken gets mixed up in the challenge and catches Woltemade on the foot in the penalty area. A penalty is awarded, and Newcastle equalise. A bitter blow for Leverkusen!”
BILD also highlighted Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich’s comments following the game, in which the midfielder said he could not understand how Thiaw was not sent off for bringing down Schick.
“I have rarely seen such a fatal mistake,” the 31-year-old said. “It should have been either a free kick and a red card or a penalty and a yellow card.”
Champions League qualification all but secured for Newcastle
Howe would have had faint hopes of qualifying in the top eight of the Champions League group stage, bypassing the need for two extra play-off games.
But, given the quality of the opposition, Newcastle will be happy to have taken another step towards securing qualification to the knock-outs in any event.
The Magpies sit 12th in the overall league and could still make it to the top eight, but face a trip to European champions PSG in January.
Just a victory over PSV Eindhoven should be enough to secure Howe’s side a place in the next stage.