Newcastle United fans left St James’ Park on Saturday with mixed feelings following a 2-1 friendly defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. The match, attended by over 39,000 supporters, showcased a youthful Newcastle team still adjusting to life without key departures like Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães.

Despite the loss, new manager Matthias Jaissle expressed optimism, noting that his side showed signs of improvement during the match.

Key highlights include:

• Malick Thiaw, Anthony Elanga, and Yoane Wissa demonstrated positive performances under Jaissle's guidance.
• Mason Miley, the academy product, impressed at right-back, earning praise from Jaissle for his attitude and quality.

The match began poorly for Newcastle, conceding a goal within the first minute. However, Thiaw equalized just before halftime, showcasing Jaissle's potential impact.

With Dan Burn captaining the side and Joelinton sidelined due to injury, the squad faced challenges. Jaissle's tactical adjustments showed promise, but the team ultimately fell short against a stronger Leverkusen side. Victor Boniface secured the win for Leverkusen with a late goal, highlighting the need for Newcastle to bolster their midfield, especially after recent departures.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Liverpool, Jaissle remained optimistic, stating, "We’ll keep using positivity. I can’t wait." His determination signals a commitment to rebuilding the team amidst significant transitions.