Newcastle forced to go the ‘hard way’ after Dortmund defeat

26.10.2023 - 00:09 arabnews.com

NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said his side had made reaching the Champions League last 16 hard for themselves after a 1-0 home defeat by Borussia Dortmund blew Group F wide open.

Felix Nmecha scored the only goal as the woodwork twice denied Newcastle an equalizer in the closing stages. The German giants’ first win in what is widely regarded the toughest group in the draw lifts Dortmund above Newcastle on head-to-head record with both sides on four points.

Paris Saint-Germain lead the section on six points with last season’s semifinalists AC Milan bottom on two. Newcastle had announced their return to the Champions League stage for the first time in 20 years in style with a 4-1 demolition of PSG three weeks ago.

But the Magpies were handed a deserved reality check after a surprisingly flat performance. “Tactically they were good and gave us problems in central areas.

Manchester United soccer Arsenal FC Cristiano Ronaldo Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund Eddie Howe Jude Bellingham Harry Kane Anthony Gordon Alexander Isak Gregor Kobel Felix Nmecha Britain Germany Spain Switzerland Saudi Arabia

PARIS: Reigning champions Italy are preparing for a decisive qualifier with Ukraine for a place at Euro 2024, while former winners the Netherlands and 2016 semifinalists Wales are also aiming to book their tickets to the finals in Germany.

Harry Kane Scores Brace As Bayern Munich Go Top, Dortmund Lose At Stuttgart

Harry Kane scored two first-half goals as Bayern Munich beat promoted Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday, sending the Bavarians to the top of the table. Heidenheim replied with two goals in three second-half minutes to equalise and Bayern needed late goals from Raphael Guerreiro and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to secure victory. Bayern finish Saturday atop the table but Bayer Leverkusen -- who have won 15 and drawn one of their 16 matches in all competitions this season -- can return to the top with a win on Sunday over Union Berlin.

Kane scores brace as Bayern go top, Dortmund lose at Stuttgart

BERLIN: Harry Kane scored two first-half goals as Bayern Munich beat promoted Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday, sending the Bavarians to the top of the table. Heidenheim replied with two goals in three second-half minutes to equalize and Bayern needed late goals from Raphael Guerreiro and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to secure victory. Bayern finish Saturday atop the table but Bayer Leverkusen — who have won 15 and drawn one of their 16 matches in all competitions this season — can return to the top with a win on Sunday over Union Berlin. “It was a changing match,” said Thomas Mueller.

Eddie Howe knows Newcastle need two wins to keep Champions League hopes alive

Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle will probably need to beat both Paris St Germain and AC Milan to keep their Champions League dream alive.

‘We failed’, says Xavi as Barca fall to Shakhtar defeat

HAMBURG: Barcelona slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, spurning the chance to seal early qualification to the Champions League knock-out stages. Danylo Sikan’s dipping header in the 40th minute secured Shakhtar a famous victory as Xavi Hernandez’s flat Spanish champions failed to trouble their Ukrainian opponents. Barcelona still lead Group H ahead of Porto, second, hosting Royal Antwerp later on, with the Portuguese side able to pull alongside the Catalans on nine points with victory. “We can see we’re in a bit of a footballing rut, we have to do a reset,” said Barca coach Xavi. “We played a bad game, we have to admit it.” Xavi said his team had wasted a good chance to progress. “After two years without qualifying for the last 16, today is a missed opportunity,” he continued. “It’s the most inopportune moment.

Eddie Howe acknowledges task facing Newcastle

Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle will probably need to beat both Paris St Germain and AC Milan to keep their Champions League dream alive.