Ditching Howe's 4-3-3 for an aggressive four-man attack
Pre-season friendlies in early August usually feel like gloriously pointless exercises where players avoid sprint duels and jog through tactical drills. Nobody gave that memo to Valencia or Matthias Jaissle. Newcastle’s new manager stepped into the heat at Mestalla for his first game in charge and immediately scrapped the structure built by Eddie Howe.
For several seasons, Newcastle relied on Howe’s compact 4-3-3 system to control games and protect the backline. Jaissle abandoned that setup right away. He fielded a bold 4-2-3-1 shape designed to get as many forwards onto the pitch as possible.
The German manager handed starts to four direct attackers at once. Will Osula, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga all lined up together in an aggressive frontline. The gamble produced immediate fireworks, though not all of them favored the visitors.
Valencia opened the scoring against the run of play with a long-range thunderbolt that flew into the top corner. Debutant goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek had no chance with the strike, but he recovered well to deliver a calm and assured performance across the remaining minutes.
Jaissle’s post-match comments suggested Hornicek could displace Nick Pope as Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming Premier League campaign. That would be a major call, but Hornicek looked comfortable managing his penalty area under pressure.
However, the new formation created obvious defensive problems in central areas. Operating with only two central midfielders left Newcastle exposed whenever Valencia broke past the front line. According to Sky Sports reporting from Mestalla, Jaissle intends to stick with the 4-2-3-1 system while keeping the 4-3-3 as an alternative option.
Jose Gaya's red card and the Anthony Elanga injury scare
Anthony Elanga spent the opening half-hour proving why Jaissle wanted him on the right flank. Fresh off an impressive World Cup tournament with Sweden, the winger tormented Valencia’s defense with sharp acceleration and direct runs.
Elanga looked eager to start repaying the £55m transfer fee Newcastle paid Manchester United last summer. He repeatedly isolated his fullback and created problems inside the penalty box.
That bright start ended abruptly when Valencia skipper Jose Gaya launched into a reckless, studs-up tackle. The lunging challenge was completely unacceptable for a friendly match. The referee showed an immediate straight red card, reducing Valencia to ten men before half-time.
Elanga needed extended medical treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off in visible distress. Given his previous fitness issues, Tyneside feared the worst regarding potential knee ligament damage.
Subsequent medical evaluations brought massive relief to the coaching staff. Scans confirmed the injury was restricted to severe dead-leg bruising rather than structural damage.
Jaissle did not hide his anger when speaking after the match, criticizing Gaya's tackle directly:
"Jaissle said the tackle was shocking post-match, particularly in a friendly."
The manager admitted Newcastle felt fortunate about the final medical update, noting they were blessed by the outcome. Losing Elanga right before the season opener against Liverpool would have left Newcastle short on width. Even so, relying on Elanga and Jacob Murphy on the right wing remains a risky strategy for the long season ahead.
Woltemade's No. 10 failure and the rise of Sean Steur
While Elanga caught the eye early, Nick Woltemade handed Jaissle an immediate tactical headache. Newcastle supporters have repeatedly called for Woltemade to play as a traditional No. 10 rather than the deeper midfield role Eddie Howe assigned him last season.
Jaissle granted those wishes by placing his German compatriot behind the main striker, but the experiment failed completely. Woltemade looked off the pace from his very first touch. He lost possession frequently under pressure and struggled to find rhythm.
Playing in the half-spaces requires rapid decision-making and spatial awareness. Woltemade drifted out of the match and failed to link the midfield to the attack. Beside him, young forward Will Osula offered almost nothing, finishing his first-half outing without registering a single shot.
Instead, Newcastle’s young midfield debutants provided the spark. 20-year-old Aladji Bamba started in central midfield and showcased impressive physical strength. He surrendered the ball twice in dangerous zones, showing his lack of top-level experience, but his ball manipulation in tight spaces looked promising.
Bamba gave way at half-time to 18-year-old Sean Steur, who completely changed the dynamic of the game. Steur has been Newcastle's standout performer throughout pre-season, and his second-half performance at Mestalla confirmed that reputation.
The young Dutchman pressed Valencia’s ten men relentlessly and distributed passes with composure. His aggressive style allowed Newcastle to take full control of the match.
As Sky Sports detailed in their tactical breakdown, Steur and Bamba are unlikely to start together when the Premier League begins. Established options like Joelinton, Jacob Ramsey, or Lewis Miley are far more likely to anchor the midfield against Liverpool.
Yoane Wissa makes the case to solve Newcastle's striker debate
The match turned decisively when Yoane Wissa entered the action after the interval. Fresh from scoring three goals for DR Congo at the World Cup, Wissa brought much-needed movement and directness to Newcastle’s attack.
Wissa dragged Valencia’s central defenders out of position with clever diagonal runs. He grabbed the equalizer midway through the second half with a sharp finish inside the area.
He then completed the comeback to seal a 2-1 victory late in the game. The winning goal came courtesy of 18-year-old winger Bazou Toure, who made his debut after joining Newcastle for £40m this summer.
Toure displayed raw, unpredictable skill on the flank, beating his defender before putting a precise cross on a plate for Wissa. Newcastle fans traveling to Spain left the stadium praising Toure’s explosive potential.
Wissa’s two-goal performance felt like a turning point. Newcastle spent £55m to acquire him from Brentford, where he scored 19 goals two seasons ago. However, his debut season on Tyneside was wrecked by a severe knee injury suffered before he could play a competitive game.
Many fans have demanded Newcastle buy a new central striker this window. Yet Newcastle hierarchy are not actively seeking a striker unless one is sold first, an outcome that appears unlikely.
With Woltemade faltering in advanced areas and Osula quiet, starting Wissa through the center against Liverpool looks like Jaissle’s best option. The forward is playing with real confidence and sharpness.
Transfer window realities before the Liverpool opener
Despite securing a comeback win, Jaissle offered a realistic perspective in the tunnels of Mestalla. The German head coach made it clear that the squad needs further additions before the transfer window shuts.
Evaluating his options, Jaissle stated bluntly that his squad is:
"not complete"
Full-back depth is Newcastle’s most urgent problem. Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento missed the match in Spain, leaving Jaissle without a single natural full-back on the bench. Newcastle intend to sign up to three more players, with a versatile full-back who can cover both flanks high on the list.
The club is also working to acquire Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in a proposed £15m deal. The 30-year-old Dane boasts 97 international caps and eight seasons of Premier League experience. He is not a replacement for Bruno Guimaraes, but his presence would provide short-term stability while Bamba and Steur develop.
If the Hojbjerg move fails, Newcastle will pursue another experienced midfielder. They may also explore right-wing options given Elanga’s physical fragility and Jacob Murphy’s inconsistency.
Jaissle’s debut showed clear tactical ambition and genuine attacking promise. However, the club's activity in the final three weeks of the transfer window will decide whether this squad can handle Liverpool in their season opener.
