Newcastle United are poised to complete a dominant victory in their UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off against Qarabağ FK, holding a commanding 6-1 lead from the first leg. The second leg takes place at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, offering fans multiple avenues to follow the action. This Champions League tie represents a significant step for both clubs, with Qarabağ making history simply by reaching this stage of the competition.
The match is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. GMT kick-off (3:00 p.m. ET), with coverage available on TNT Sports and Amazon Prime in the UK, Paramount+ in the U.S., SonyLIV in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. ESPN will also provide live updates throughout the match. The significant first-leg advantage allows manager Eddie Howe the opportunity to assess squad depth and potentially rotate players ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.
The first leg saw Anthony Gordon deliver a stunning performance, scoring four goals in a 6-1 victory for Newcastle in Baku. Gordon’s exploits have not only set Newcastle in a strong position but have also etched his name into the club’s Champions League record books. The return leg is expected to be a more controlled affair, with Newcastle looking to manage the game and secure their place in the next round.
Here’s a breakdown of key details for Tuesday’s match:
Match Details and Team Lineups
Kick-off time: Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8:00 p.m. GMT (3:00 p.m. ET; 1:30 a.m. IST and 7:00 p.m. AEDT, Wednesday)
Venue: St. James Park, Newcastle
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
VAR: Daniele Chiffi (Italy)
Newcastle United are dealing with a number of injuries. Emil Krafth (knee), Fabian Schär (ankle), Tino Livramento (hamstring), Bruno Guimarães (muscle), Lewis Miley (knee), and Yoane Wissa (knock) are all confirmed to be out of contention. Sven Botman is listed as doubtful with a back injury.
Qarabağ FK have Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev listed as doubtful, with his status uncertain ahead of the match.
Gordon’s Record-Breaking Performance
Anthony Gordon’s performance in the first leg was nothing short of sensational. His goal after just 2 minutes and 2 seconds was the fastest ever scored by Newcastle in the Champions League, surpassing previous records set by Shola Ameobi and Alan Shearer in 2003. ESPN reported on the historic nature of his performance.
Further highlighting his impact, Gordon has now scored 10 Champions League goals this season, the second-highest total by an Englishman in a single campaign. He also became the first Englishman to score a hat-trick in the Champions League knockout stage. His rapid-fire three goals in 33 minutes set a new benchmark for English players and Newcastle United in the competition. He was also the second player to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League game, a feat previously achieved by Luiz Adriano in 2014-15.
Rotation and Opportunities for Newcastle
With a significant lead in hand, Eddie Howe has the luxury of rotating his squad. This presents an opportunity to give valuable minutes to players who haven’t featured regularly and to assess the potential of academy prospects. Potential changes could see William Osula given a start, Joelinton returning to the lineup to regain fitness, and Sandro Tonali rested. There’s also a chance for Anthony Elanga to find the back of the net and for young Sean Neave to earn more playing time.
The Elanga Question
Since joining Newcastle from Nottingham Forest, where he had a productive season with six goals and 12 assists, Anthony Elanga has struggled to replicate his form. In 37 appearances across all competitions this season, he has only managed two assists and one goal – a consolation goal in the EFL Cup against Manchester City. His hesitancy and lack of directness on the ball have been a concern, a stark contrast to his displays for Forest. The departure of Aleksander Isak was initially cited as a factor in Newcastle’s attacking struggles, but Elanga, along with other forwards, needs to demonstrate greater consistency.
Looking Ahead: Replacing Guimarães
Although not immediately pressing for this match, Howe will demand to consider long-term solutions to cover for Bruno Guimarães when he is unavailable. Guimarães is a pivotal figure for Newcastle, and finding a suitable replacement will be crucial to maintaining the team’s success. This upcoming match could provide an opportunity to experiment with different midfield combinations and identify potential candidates.
Qarabağ’s Historic Run
Despite the first-leg defeat, Qarabağ’s journey to the Champions League knockout stages is a remarkable achievement. They are only the second Azerbaijani club to reach the group stages of any UEFA competition (following their Europa League appearance in 2014-15), the first to reach the Champions League group stages (in 2016-17), and now the first to advance to the knockout round. Their success in finishing above teams like Napoli, Benfica, and Ajax in the group stage underscores the significance of their accomplishment.
Newcastle United will look to close out the tie and advance to the next stage of the Champions League, while Qarabağ will aim to restore some pride and continue their historic European campaign. The match promises to be an intriguing encounter, even with the significant advantage held by the home side.
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