On Wednesday night, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle experienced a narrow 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park, marking their first loss in the Champions League this season. Alan Shearer, a prominent football pundit, shared his thoughts on the match, emphasizing that it wasn’t a fluke, and Dortmund’s victory was well-earned.
Shearer, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, commented on Dortmund’s strong defensive performance, highlighting moments of luck in the last 10 minutes when the ball hit the bar. He also praised Dortmund’s effective approach in both their play against Newcastle and in managing the crowd. He stated, “They were such a threat on the break. If Newcastle are honest, then I think they’ll accept they didn’t deserve anything from the game.”
Shearer expressed frustration with Newcastle’s lack of attacking threat during the match, especially considering their status as the top scorers in the Premier League this season with 24 goals. He expected a similar performance on Wednesday but felt it didn’t materialize. He noted that Dortmund prevented Newcastle from finding their footing in the game, playing high-risk football in the first half and defending effectively after taking the lead.
In contrast to Shearer’s perspective, Eddie Howe believed that his team deserved something from the game. He acknowledged the tactical challenges posed by Dortmund, particularly in central areas, but felt that Newcastle improved in the second half, creating chances that were unfortunately denied by the woodwork. Howe recognized the difficulty of competing against elite teams in the Champions League, where even a small mistake can lead to punishment.
He acknowledged the tough road ahead in the group stage but stressed the importance of dusting themselves off and preparing for the next match. Analyzing the game, adjusting strategies, and working towards a positive result in the upcoming fixture were key considerations for the team. Despite the defeat, Howe did not believe his team deserved to lose and remained optimistic about their Champions League journey.