Eddie Howe has “preferred outcome” with Alexander Isak as Newcastle United defeated by Atlético Madrid

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Daniel Wales reports from St. James’ Park as Newcastle United lose their final pre-season friendly against Atlético Madrid, with Head Coach Eddie Howe reaffirming his stance on Alexander Isak’s future.

Transcript

00:00Another pre-season loss for Newcastle as the Alexander-Ezach situation still rumbles on in the background.

00:08Apart from a 4-0 victory over non-league side Carlisle United at Newcastle's training ground,

00:13which was behind closed doors and was the first match of the pre-season,

00:17Newcastle have failed to win any of the friendlies they've taken part in this summer,

00:22both here in the UK and away on their tour in Asia.

00:25Is that a concern? Well, we're always told that pre-season results don't tend to matter

00:31and that what's actually important is fitness and learning patterns of play ahead of the new season,

00:36but a win would have certainly given encouragement ahead of what is a difficult start to the Premier League season,

00:42which begins away at Aston Villa.

00:45Newcastle, though, in the first half against Atletico Madrid were positive.

00:49They looked threatening. Joe Linton probably should have had a handful of goals,

00:52given the amount of headers, and he either put wide or straight into the hands of Jan Oblak,

00:57but ultimately Newcastle were unable to put any away,

01:00and Atletico Madrid punished them in the second half as we'll come on to.

01:04So with that in mind, let's look back at the afternoon now to see just how any house side came up short

01:10against Spanish giants.

01:12Atletico Madrid here at St James' Park on a warm August afternoon.

01:16Whilst the competitive edge of a Premier League fixture was missing from St James' Park on Saturday,

01:24the matchday buzz was still present as 52,000 turned up to watch Newcastle United take on Atletico Madrid.

01:34The two sides could meet in the Champions League this season,

01:37but on this occasion it was the Cellar Cup that the clubs were playing for.

01:41Atletico Madrid's manager, Diego Simeone, was, as usual, very animated on the touchline

01:48as he watched his side concede a number of chances to Newcastle in the opening 45 minutes.

01:54Kieran Trippier played at right-back for the Magpies,

01:58having previously represented Atletico Madrid before making the move to Tyneside in January of 2022.

02:05Intriguingly, Harrison Ashby played in midfield for Newcastle,

02:09with Joe Willock currently sidelined through injury.

02:12The former QPR low knee did well in the first half

02:16and will be looking to stake his claim to remain part of Eddie Howe's first-team squad this season.

02:22Anthony Alanga made his first start at St James' Park in black and white

02:26and looked rapid down the right-hand side,

02:29although his final delivery still needs some improvement.

02:32And ultimately, as a result of Newcastle's lack of cutting edge in the first half,

02:38goals from Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann saw Atletico Madrid win the match 2-1.

02:43There was also concern over Anthony Gordon, who appeared to pull up with a muscle injury,

02:47although Eddie Howe then confirmed it was just an ankle twist.

02:51Many of the questions to Eddie Howe, though, regarded Alexander Izak.

02:55I think I've said many times, he is contracted to us, he's our player.

02:58The club basically made the decision on his future.

03:04I don't know what that will be.

03:06Of course, I have a preferred outcome.

03:08I want the best and strongest squad possible.

03:10But also, I want players that really want to play for this football club.

03:14Yeah, I thought we had probably a slow start to the game, then a really good period before half-time.

03:19From sort of 20 minutes onwards, I thought we were the dominant team.

03:23We created a lot of chances in that spell.

03:26Joey could have probably got four or five goals on another day.

03:30But it was great to see him in goal-scoring positions and attacking the ball so well in the box.

03:34And I think then the game probably changed on the first goal.

03:37That was the key moment.

03:39Poor from us in terms of organisation from our corner.

03:43And then, yeah, then with the substitutions, the flow of the game changed.

03:48And they got renewed energy and we were fatiguing.

03:50So it was a difficult second half.

03:52Well, we're just a handful of days now away from Newcastle United's opening Premier League fixture of the season.

03:58Taking on Aston Villa away from home at Villa Park.

04:01And what will be certainly a tricky encounter to begin their season.

04:05In the meantime, the club will be looking to bolster their squad for the rest of the campaign.

04:10German defender Malik Thio is supposedly close to signing a deal with the Magpies.

04:15He currently plays for AC Milan.

04:17But Newcastle are getting closer to his signature.

04:21Also, Johan Visser from Brentford.

04:23That deal is still ongoing.

04:24But Newcastle, again, confident of landing him before the window slams shut.

04:29Lots of work to be done both on and off the field.

04:32And, of course, Alexander Izak's situation still remains up in the air.

04:36But for now, Eddie Howe will look to matters on the pitch.

04:39And making sure that they can get a good result against Aston Villa.

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