UEFA Champions League League Stage - 4
Newcastle 2 - 0 FT Athletic Club
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
11' D. Burn (K. Trippier)
41' ↓ A. Gordon ↑J. Murphy
HT
49' Joelinton (H. Barnes)
Aitor Paredes 57'
65' ↓ D. Burn ↑L. Hall
65' ↓ H. Barnes ↑A. Elanga
65' ↓ Bruno Guimaraes ↑L. Miley
Jesús Areso 69'
↓ R. Navarro ↑N. Serrano 70'
↓ M. Jauregizar ↑S. Sanchez 70'
↓ J. Areso ↑A. Gorosabel 78'
↓ U. Gomez ↑A. Hierro 78'
↓ A. Rego ↑I. Ruiz de Galarreta 81'
83' ↓ N. Woltemade ↑J. Ramsey
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Newcastle
Goalkeepers
N. Pope
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
K. Trippier 
PROVIDER
1
assists
1
assists
1
key passes
7.2
rating
M. Thiaw 
MAGNET
89
activity
89
activity
77
passes
12
duels
S. Botman 
STORMTROOPER
1
shots
1
shots
0
goals
1
on target
D. Burn 
SNIPER
50%
conversion
50%
conversion
1
goals
2
shots
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Tonali
MAGNET
73
activity
73
activity
62
passes
11
duels
Joelinton
SNIPER
50%
conversion
50%
conversion
1
goals
2
shots
Forwards
H. Barnes
PROVIDER
1
assists
1
assists
1
key passes
7
rating
N. Woltemade 
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
1
tackles
46%
duel win %
A. Gordon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
M. Thompson 
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
A. Ramsdale
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
L. Hall
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Schar 
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
E. Krafth
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
A. Murphy
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
J. Murphy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Willock
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
J. Ramsey
CAMEO
13
minutes
13
minutes
1
touches
None
events
L. Miley
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Elanga
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
W. Osula
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Athletic Club
Goalkeepers
U. Simon 
SUNDAY LEAGUER
5.6
rating
5.6
rating
0
duels lost
32
poss lost
Defenders
J. Areso 
NPC
78
minutes
78
minutes
11%
pass acc
6.5
rating
D. Vivian 
PROVOCATEUR
2
fouls won
2
fouls won
4
Duels Won
0
pens won
A. Paredes
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
42%
pass acc
6.5
rating
A. Boiro
STORMTROOPER
1
shots
1
shots
0
goals
0
on target
Midfielders
A. Rego
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
4
tackles
50%
duel win %
M. Jauregizar 
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
R. Navarro
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
M. Vesga
SUNDAY LEAGUER
5.9
rating
5.9
rating
8
duels lost
26
poss lost
A. Berenguer
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
26%
pass acc
6.3
rating
Forwards
U. Gomez
NPC
78
minutes
78
minutes
5%
pass acc
6.2
rating
BENCH
M. Santos
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
A. Padilla
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
A. Gorosabel
CAMEO
12
minutes
12
minutes
7
touches
None
events
A. Laporte
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
I. Lekue
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
I. Ruiz de Galarreta
CAMEO
10
minutes
10
minutes
16
touches
None
events
I. Sanchez
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
S. Sanchez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Serrano 
SNAKEBITTEN
4
on target
4
on target
0
goals
1.2
xg wasted
A. Hierro
CAMEO
12
minutes
12
minutes
8
touches
None
events
A. Izagirre Cestona
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/07/2022 | Newcastle | 2 - 1 | Athletic Club | Friendlies Clubs | St. James' Park |
30/07/2022
Newcastle Win
Athletic Club Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 4 GD: +11
P: 4 GD: +11
P: 4 GD: +10
P: 4 GD: +7
P: 4 GD: +9
P: 4 GD: +8
P: 4 GD: +6
P: 4 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 4 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 4 GD: -3
P: 4 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 4 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -5
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: -1
P: 4 GD: -5
P: 4 GD: -8
P: 4 GD: -3
P: 4 GD: -6
P: 4 GD: -7
P: 4 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -8
P: 4 GD: -9
P: 4 GD: -6
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Newcastle's European Statement: Burn and Joelinton Dismantle Athletic Club
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 24/100. A ruthless opening to the Champions League campaign sees Newcastle assert their credentials on the continent, dismantling a visiting Athletic Club side that offered little resistance at St. James' Park.
Early Dominance Sets the Tone
From the opening whistle, Newcastle controlled the tempo with surgical precision. The intensity was suffocating—Athletic Club found themselves pinned back within minutes. In the 11th minute, the breakthrough arrived with clinical efficiency: Kieran Trippier's delivery found Dan Burn, whose towering presence at centre-back proved too much for the Basque outfit's backline. The defender's header crashed past the goalkeeper, giving Newcastle a dream start. The stakes shifted immediately—Athletic Club's Champions League ambitions already looked fragile.
Defensive Mastery and the Pope Fortress
What made this performance genuinely elite was Newcastle's defensive balance. Malick Thiaw and Burn orchestrated a masterclass in positional discipline, while Nick Pope proved utterly unflappable between the sticks. Athletic Club threw 12 shots at the Magpies—five found the target—but Pope's five saves turned St. James' Park into an impenetrable fortress. The goalkeeper's distribution was equally assured, launching counter-attacks with the precision of a quarterback. Newcastle's 59% possession masked a far more dominant picture; they suffocated Athletic Club's creative outlets and forced rushed, speculative efforts.
The Knockout Punch
The second half brought merely a formality. In the 49th minute, Joelinton sealed the rout, assisted by Harvey Barnes. Athletic Club's defensive shape crumbled under relentless pressure—they managed just 0.58 xG across the entire match, a damning indictment of their attacking impotence. Newcastle's eight shots (four on target) felt almost excessive given their control; they simply didn't need to shoot more to dismantle their opponents. The upset factor was non-existent. This was a statement of intent from Eddie Howe's side: they belong at Europe's top table.
Key Questions
What made Nick Pope the Man of the Match?
Five crucial saves and commanding distribution turned Athletic Club's attacking forays into wasted efforts, ensuring Newcastle's clean sheet remained unblemished.
How did Newcastle's defence control the game?
Burn and Thiaw's positional discipline suffocated Athletic Club's build-up play, forcing long-range attempts rather than clear-cut chances.
What does this result mean for Newcastle's European campaign?
A perfect 3-1 record suggests Newcastle can compete with Europe's elite, though tougher tests await in the group stage.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
A Gritty Fight for European Survival
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 35/100. This is a fixture where avoiding a damaging defeat takes precedence over the traditional glamour of the Champions League.
The Setup
As the winter chill settles over St. James' Park this November 05, the atmosphere won't be one of celebration, but of caution. The Stakes are unusually high for a fourth round; with Newcastle sitting 12th and Athletic Club languishing in 28th, this has become a de facto relegation battle within the league phase. While the hosts boast decent Form (DLWWW), the visitors have struggled to find any Balance, managing only one win in six European outings.
Key Battle
The match will likely be decided in the transition phase. Without high-flying individual Stars dominating the narrative, the tactical duel pits Newcastle's high-intensity middle block against Athletic's pragmatic defensive line. Alexander Isak will need to find space between the Basque center-backs, while Nico Williams remains the primary threat for an Athletic side desperate to escape the bottom tier of the table.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey, low-scoring affair. Newcastle will dominate possession but struggle to break down a resolute, if limited, Athletic defense. A single moment of quality—or a set-piece error—will decide it. We foresee a narrow 1-0 victory for the Magpies, as they use their home advantage to squeeze out a result in a match that most neutrals might prefer to skip.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only if you enjoy tactical grinds. It lacks the usual Champions League flair.
What's the predicted outcome?
A narrow 1-0 win for Newcastle in a low-event game.
Where are Newcastle and Athletic Club in the league table?
Newcastle is 12th (10 points); Athletic Club is 28th (5 points).
What is Newcastle's current form?
They are in stable form with three wins in their last five (DLWWW).
What does this mean for relegation?
A loss for Athletic could effectively end their hopes of making the knockouts.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.