When Rondon’s gone, problems will increase for toothless Toon
CSKA Moscow 1 Newcastle 1
NEWCASTLE United played out a 1-1 draw in their mid-season friendly against Russian Premier League outfit CSKA Moscow in Spain.
Salomon Rondon gave the Magpies the lead when he controlled a Deandre Yedlin cross and finished low into the net, before ex-united striker target Abel Hernandez equalised for CSKA.
With Benitez making 11 changes at the break, the game lacked any rhythm during the second half and United were unable to conjure up a winner, despite dominating the ball and territory.
Here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh takes us through what we learned.
1. ALMIRON SHOWS GLIMPSES OF HIS TALENT – BUT KENEDY HAS ANOTHER GAME TO FORGET
One of the primary motivations for this trip was to integrate Newcastle’s new January signings into the squad.
Benitez wanted to use the five-day training camp to allow both Miguel Almiron and Antonio Barreca to acclimatise to his tactical approach, and also so they could enjoy some off-field time with their new team-mates at La Finca Golf Course & Resort. It was no surprise, therefore, to see both new arrivals handed their full Magpies debuts.
Clearly Benitez wanted the pair to put into practice what they had learned over their few days in Spain and determine whether they are ready to potentially start either of the crucial back-toback relegation clashes against Huddersfield Town and Burnley.
With Benitez persisting with a threeman central-defence, Italian Barreca started at left-wing-back – the position he is most suited to – while Almiron played alongside Kenedy as the pair were deployed just off lone striker Salomon Rondon.
While Kenedy was lively during the first half, the Brazilian was also poor, repeatedly lashing efforts wide and over – and it was almost a relief when he was removed at the break.
Almiron, meanwhile, was just as energetic, and he linked up well with Rondon, and forced Igor Akinfeev and CSKA defenders to make a series of lastditch interceptions.
United used the wind to their advantage during the opening 45 minutes, and Almiron’s pace was a crucial factor in that as the Paraguayan repeatedly broke in behind the CSKA backline.
As for Barreca, the Italian was targeted by CSKA early on, but he dealt reasonably well with the Russian side’s threat, and instead they switched their attention to targeting Deandre Yedlin down the other flank.
In attack, there were a few nice touches from Barreca, but few of the dangerous crosses which Benitez wants to see the left wing-back bring to the side.
Both were withdrawn at the interval as Benitez changed his entire starting XI, and as a result we only garnered glimpses of what they can bring to the Newcastle XI.
But Almiron in particular is certainly giving exciting glimpses of what he will deliver for the Magpies, while Barreca will need a little more time to adapt.
2. NO DUBRAVKA – AS RAFA TRIES OUT TWO OTHER GOALKEEPERS
Another selection which piqued the interest of Newcastle fans was that of Karl Darlow in goal.
Given Martin Dubravka’s struggles over the past few weeks – for the first time in his Newcastle career, the Slovakia international has made a few errors, as well as being at the centre of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ controversial equaliser – there have been some suggestions Benitez could be looking to make a change between the sticks.
The United manager can be ruthless,