A crowd of more than 39,000 packed St James' Park on Saturday to watch Newcastle United suffer a 2-1 friendly defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, a result that offered a mixed preview of what lies ahead for Matthias Jaissle's reshaped squad before their Premier League opener against Liverpool next Sunday.
The match marked Jaissle's first home outing since replacing Eddie Howe, who departed abruptly at the end of July. The German coach, previously in charge at Al-Ahli in Jeddah, is tasked with rebuilding a Newcastle side that has lost key figures Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães over the summer, while Leverkusen arrive as a transformed unit compared to the team Newcastle drew with in a Champions League group match last year.
Things began poorly for the hosts when Ibrahim Maza cut inside and fired past new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek inside the opening minute. Newcastle steadied themselves as the half progressed, with Malick Thiaw heading home from an Anthony Elanga corner shortly before the break to level the score. Jaissle greeted the equalizer with visible enthusiasm on the touchline.
Leverkusen's new manager, Carles Martínez—recently arrived from Toulouse—turned to substitute Patrik Schick after the interval, and the German side grew stronger. Victor Boniface eventually won the match for the visitors late on, rolling home a finish after skillfully turning young Newcastle midfielder Sean Steur to create the chance.
Despite the defeat, there were encouraging signs for Jaissle, particularly from 17-year-old academy product Mason Miley, who impressed at right-back and gave Leverkusen's Miguel Gutiérrez a difficult afternoon. Gutiérrez eventually went off with cramp late in the game to warm applause from the Newcastle bench. With first-choice right-back Tino Livramento out with a calf issue, Miley is now a serious contender to start against Liverpool.
"Mason's a young lad with the attitude we need; he has the right heart and the right quality," Jaissle said of the teenager after the match.
Mason's older brother, Lewis Miley, also featured, making his first appearance since breaking his leg last spring and looking assured in central midfield. Steur, an 18-year-old former Ajax prospect and one of four players aged 20 or under signed by Newcastle since June, showed flashes of quality but also moments of inexperience.
Newcastle will be without captain Dan Burn, who did not feature as Jaissle split his squad across two friendlies this weekend, with a second match against Strasbourg scheduled for Sunday. Vice-captain Joelinton is also sidelined through injury and will miss the visit of Liverpool.
Behind the scenes, Newcastle appear close to strengthening their backline, with Benfica full-back Amar Dedic—who previously played under Jaissle at RB Salzburg—reportedly nearing a move to Tyneside. The versatile 23-year-old can operate on either flank. Attention is also expected to turn toward reinforcing central midfield, though reports suggest Marseille's Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has turned down a £13 million move to the club, while Bayern Munich's João Palhinha remains uncommitted.
Asked whether Liverpool's visit was coming too soon for his still-developing side, Jaissle initially responded cautiously before turning to a more positive outlook. "We'll do our best," he said, before adding: "We'll keep using positivity. I like these challenges. We are not concerned. I can't wait."
With the Premier League season opener fast approaching, Jaissle now faces the task of fitting together a squad still finding its shape—hoping to unlock the potential of forward Nick Woltemade and others before facing a considerably sterner test against Liverpool.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.