Newcastle’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen delivered plenty of drama and discussion, notably centered around centre-back Malick Thiaw. Instead of a quiet midweek match, fans were treated to unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a late equalizer that highlighted the importance of the 24-year-old defender.
Match Highlights
- Early Blunder: The scoring kicked off in an unusual manner when Bruno Guimarães inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net, giving Bayer Leverkusen an unexpected lead.
- Newcastle’s Response: The Magpies responded with Anthony Gordon’s composed penalty and Lewis Miley’s powerful header, taking a 2-1 lead and seemingly securing a comfortable position.
- Dramatic Equalizer: Just as Newcastle appeared to have the match in hand, Alejandro Grimaldo scored for Leverkusen in the 88th minute, prompting groans from the traveling support and jubilation back in Germany.
Thiaw’s Key Contributions
Amidst the match’s drama, Malick Thiaw stood out for his defensive prowess. A pivotal moment occurred when he halted Patrik Schick just outside the box. Referee Serdar Gozubuyuk awarded a free-kick and handed Thiaw a yellow card, sparking debate. Many believed it should have been a red card, but former FIFA referee Keith Hackett defended the decision. Thanks to Tino Livramento providing cover, Thiaw was allowed to stay on the pitch, which proved crucial for Newcastle.
Beyond that incident, Thiaw’s performance was exceptional:
- Passing Accuracy: Completed 40 of 43 passes for a remarkable 93 percent success rate.
- Defensive Resilience: Won three tackles, the highest on the field, and recorded 15 defensive actions overall.
- Duels Won: Dominated ground duels 60 percent of the time and aerial duels 67 percent.
These statistics reflect a defender who reads the game with ease and intervenes at critical moments.
Value of Thiaw
At £34.6 million, Thiaw has proven to be a smart investment for Newcastle. Since his arrival from AC Milan, he has transformed Eddie Howe’s defense, adding both strength and playmaking ability. If Newcastle aimed to solidify their position in European competition, they have certainly found their anchor in Thiaw.
While the final whistle signaled another point in the Champions League for Newcastle, fans are eager to see more performances like this. If Thiaw maintains this form, the real question will shift from whether Howe made a wise purchase to how long he can keep such a valuable player in his squad.
Conclusion
Newcastle supporters are hopeful for continued strong displays, and with Malick Thiaw leading the defense, there is plenty of reason for optimism.