Newcastle 0-2 Atletico Madrid: No Isak again as Newcastle end pre-season winless in six
Newcastle United were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in their final pre-season game of the summer. Defeat at St James’s Park leaves Eddie Howe’s side with only one win from seven, with that one coming against National League side Carlisle United.
Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann provided the goals in the second period to claim the match for Atleti, after a goalless first half that saw the Spanish side create by far the better chances.
Newcastle had been without Alexander Isak once again, as the Swedish striker continues to be left out as speculation continues over his future. Howe’s post-match admission that Isak is unlikely to face Aston Villa next weekend will only further raise the fears of Toon fans that it’s the end of the road as far as their No 9 is concerned.
Atletico’s first came almost immediately after the restart when Alvarez freed himself up at the back post to meet Alex Baena’s tricky low cross following a counter attack. The second came just after the hour mark, Alexander Sorloth slipping the ball neatly into Griezmann’s path, and the Frenchman finishing stylishly into the far corner.
Newcastle play Villa away on the Premier League’s opening weekend on 16 August. By then, they will be hoping to have settled their off-pitch issues so they can begin to get some clarity on it.
