Newcastle United celebrated a 2-1 victory against Valencia in their first pre-season friendly under new head coach Matthias Jaissle at Mestalla Stadium. Despite lifting a trophy, Jaissle remained grounded, stating, "We will not smash the locker room now and celebrate a lot... we still have a lot to work on."

The match started with a setback as Newcastle conceded a goal to Filip Ugrinic just four minutes in. However, the team showed resilience, particularly after Anthony Elanga suffered a serious-looking injury from a tackle by Jose Gaya, who was subsequently shown a red card. Fortunately, Elanga was later seen walking, indicating the injury may not be severe.

Striker Yoane Wissa emerged as a key player, scoring both goals for Newcastle after coming off the bench. The match also highlighted the contributions of new signings Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur, who impressed in their debuts.

Jaissle emphasized the importance of winning for team confidence and acknowledged the challenging week the players had faced. Following a significant turnover in the squad, with key players like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes departing, the club adopted a younger roster, with an average age significantly lowered. Harvey Barnes, at 28, was the oldest starter.

Jaissle, known for developing young talent at RB Salzburg, expressed his commitment to nurturing the squad. He acknowledged the need for experience in the team, particularly in midfield, while also showing a decisive approach by excluding veteran goalkeeper Nick Pope from the squad.

As Jaissle prepares for his unveiling at St James' Park, he plans to visit the stadium for his first impressions, marking the beginning of a new era for Newcastle United.