Newcastle United player ratings: ‘Woeful’ 5/10 & ‘costly’ 6/10 in 2-0 Borussia Dortmund defeat
Jordan Cronin
·2-min read
DORTMUND, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: Players of Newcastle United pose for a photo prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United at Signal Iduna Park on November 07, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Newcastle United hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage hang in the balance after losing 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund.
Eddie Howe sprung a surprise when naming his starting XI. Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento were handed Champions League debuts, while Joe Willock returned with the injured Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron making way.
United had just begun to settle at the Signal Iduna Park when the hosts took the lead in the 26th minute through Niklas Fulkrug’s close-range strike.
Made five saves on the night but beaten twice by Niklas Fullkrug and Julian Brandt. There isn’t a lot he could have done about either, mind.
And it was a similar story after the break. Newcastle threatened an equaliser but Dortmund added a killer second from a counter-attack that Julian Brandt capped off.
The defeat leaves Newcastle three points behind Dortmund heading into the final two Group F matches away to Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan at St James’ Park.
Here’s our Newcastle United player ratings:
A typical schar performance. Calm on the ball and made some vital interceptions.
Grew into the game after a shaky start up against the physicality of Niklas Fullkrug.
Looks out of form having set really high bar in the opening months of the campaign. Struggled with his deliveries into the box and it was a woeful one that led to Dortmund counter attacking and scoring a second.
Started well but lost some composure when harshly booked in the 10th minute. Got the wrong side Sabitzer, who crossed for Dortmund opener.
Tried to make things work in the middle of the park. Had some really promising moments on the ball.
Much like the first meeting between the two sides, Longstaff let the game pass him a little. Can never fault his effort, though.
Was positive on the ball as he attempted to drive Newcastle forward down the left.
Much more effective in the second half after dropping back into right-back having started the game further up. Later switched to left-back and contained Karim Adeyemi.
Interchanged well with Willock down the left. Found himself in some excellent attacking positions but his misses proved costly.
Isolated up top. Didn’t given the two Dortmund centre-halves much to think about. Replaced at half-time.
Tried his luck from distance on a couple of ocassions but never looked like scoring.
A different option through the middle. Helped United ask more of Dortmund defence in the second half.
Becomes Newcastle’s youngester ever European debutant.
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Rangers have an impressive record at home in the Europa League, winning seven and drawing one of their
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