Newcastle kit fiasco sums up haphazard preseason Daniel Zeqiri Sat, August 15, 2026 at 4:18 PM UTC 0 Newcastle’s kit, with blue trim, was deemed too similar to Leverkusen’s, so they changed into their third strip during the first halfNewcastle United 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle’s preseason friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at St James’ Park took a bizarre turn when a kit clash prompted the hosts to change shirts midway through the first half.
Newcastle kit fiasco sums up haphazard pre-season
Daniel Zeqiri Sat, August 15, 2026 at 4:18 PM UTC
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Newcastle’s kit, with blue trim, was deemed too similar to Leverkusen’s, so they changed into their third strip during the first halfNewcastle United 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
Newcastle’s pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at St James’ Park took a bizarre turn when a kit clash prompted the hosts to change shirts midway through the first half.
The German team’s white away kit with blue trim proved hard to distinguish from Newcastle’s home strip, which has a white back and blue stripes across the shoulders.
During the first-half hydration break, Newcastle decided to change into their lilac third kit, which improved the viewing experience for fans who took to social media to question the original choice of kits.
Newcastle would go on to lose the game 2-1 in new manager Matthias Jaissle’s first game at St James’, a result which followed a 3-1 reverse against Everton on Wednesday evening.
Leverkusen, the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions now managed by Spaniard Carles Martínez Novell, scored after just 44 seconds through a powerful Ibrahim Maza strike.
Jaissle’s team found their feet as the first 45 minutes progressed, with Yoane Wissa their biggest attacking threat. The striker endured a difficult first season at the club, but his performances at the World Cup with DR Congo appear to have restored confidence.
Newcastle were level just before half-time, when Malick Thiaw rose highest to plant home a back post header from a corner. Former Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken appealed in vain for a foul, but there was no infringement.
After changing all 10 outfield players at half-time against Everton, Jaissle was more circumspect with second-half substitutes; Rory Finneran for Lewis Miley was the only change before the 80th minute.
Newcastle faded though, and the game was won by Victor Boniface scoring just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute. The Nigeria striker wrong-footed Sean Steur with an impudent piece of skill before rolling the ball into the bottom corner.
The North East club are coming to terms with the departures of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes this summer, as well as manager Eddie Howe. They have one more pre-season friendly to play, against Strasbourg on Sunday, before they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool.
04:57pm
FT: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
A second pre-season defeat in a week for Newcastle. Just like against Everton, they faded in the second 45 minutes but Jaissle decided to leave some tired legs out there for fitness purposes. The performances of Barnes and Wissa were promising, but Newcaslte are giving up chances.
04:56pm
93 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
Newcastle had a free-kick with the last kick of the game, but Harvey Barnes loops the delivery straight into Flekken’s gloves.
04:53pm
91 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
Schik with a chance to wrap up the victory, but Hornicek saves before Thiaw clears to deny Terrier a tap in on the rebounds.
04:52pm
90 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
There will be just three minutes of added time to play.
04:51pm
88 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
Elanga fouled near the touchline, but time is running out. The free-kick won by Neave came to nothing.
Chance for Barnes! Good combination play involving Elanga and Wissa down the right, and the ball flashed across the six-yard box. Barnes almost steered it in, but did not make firm enough contact.
04:48pm
85 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2
Newcastle attacking with more urgency since conceding, but there are moans and groans in the ground at a misplaced Elanga pass. Sean Neave has just replaced Woltemade, and the 19-year-old wins a free-kick in a crossing position with his first action of the game.
04:45pm
GOOOALL! Boniface with a superb finish
The striker has only been on the pitch a few minutes, but Boniface has restored Leverkusen’s lead. Lovely chop inside the box, which sent Steur for a hot dog, before passing the ball into the far corner. No celebration of note from a player who could be on the move this summer.
Victor Boniface is congratulated by his team-mates - Richard Sellers/PA
04:42pm
80 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle making just their second change of the game: Pivas replaces Mason Miley at right-back.
Leverkusen have made two more changes: Moreira and Maza off, Tella and Boniface on.
04:41pm
79 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
The corner is straight down the throat of Flekken, and that prompsts some groans from the home fans.
04:40pm
78 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle having to defend deep for long periods, but Elanga did well to win a free-kick with little support. Moreira dragged the winger down. Then Wissa’s cross is turned behind for a corner.
04:37pm
75 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Woltemade’s control lets him down as he tries to bring the ball down on halfway. The game is being played at a snail’s pace at the moment, but Leverkusen are dominating the ball.
04:34pm
72 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Play has now resumed. Garcia does well to defend after Lewis Hall won the ball back in a dangerous position.
04:31pm
69 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Time for another hydration break and Leverkusen are making three more substitutions. We await further changes from Jaissle. Should the game finish level, there will be a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner of the Visit Malta Cup.
04:29pm
67 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Rather like the mid-week friendly against Everton, Newcastle have faded after half-time. Struggling to get into the game in any meaningful way. Slick football from Leverkusen but Fernandez fails to bring the ball under his spell in the box when there was time and space to shoot.
04:27pm
64 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Leverkusen just inches away from regaining the lead. It was an incisive run off the left from Afonso Moreira, who tried to place the ball into the far corner but his attempt rolled just wide of the post.
04:24pm
63 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Good defensive header by Lewis Hall before Wissa wins a foul on halfway. Newcastle feeding off scraps at the moment. Elanga goes too early and is flagged offside.
04:22pm
60 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Bayer Leverkusen have had the better of it in this half, but some of the shooting has been wayward. This time is it Schik’s turn to slash a shot over the bar. Fouls committed by Finneran and Botman.
04:19pm
57 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle with a three-on-three on the break after Wissa does well to win the ball back on halfway, but Woltemade was too slow to get his shot away at the end of the move. More good play from Wissa.
04:15pm
53 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Half a chance for Fernandez to shoot from the edge of the D, but he was leaning back and ballooned the shot miles over the bar.
04:14pm
51 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Finneran, the youngster in Newcastle’s midfield, is caught on the ball but then does well to recover it. I reckon there will be a raft of changes on the hour mark.
04:10pm
48 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Corner for Leverkusen after Moreira gets forward and attacks Mason Miley. The German side have additional aerial threat with Schik on the pitch. Woltemade does well to head clear.
04:08pm
We are back under way
Bayer Leverkuen kick off in the second half.
04:07pm
Just one half-time change from Newcastle
Jaissle made 10 against Everton, so wants his starters to build minutes today. Rory Finneran is coming on for Newcastle, an 18-year-old academy player. He replaces Lewis Miley in midfield. Czech striker Patrik Schik is on for Bayer Leverkusen.
03:50pm
HT: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
The scoreline is a fair reflection of an even first half, with Wissa Newcastle’s best player. The story though, is that kit clash that prompted Newcastle to change into their lilac third kit halfway through the half.
03:48pm
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45 minutes: Newcastle 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Just the two minutes of stoppage time to play.
03:47pm
GOOAAALL! Thiaw heads home
Newcastle equalise from a set-piece. Flekken is claiming a foul, but it is a legitimate goal. The goalkeeper was nowhere to be seen on a corner that looped all the way to be back post, and he seemed to lose his bearings allowing Thiaw to find the far corner.
Malick Thiaw rises above his marker - Scott Heppell/Getty Images
03:45pm
43 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle have a corner after another move in which Wissa was lively. His performances have been a ray of light in pre-season, he really struggled in his first season at the club.
03:42pm
40 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Lewis Hall takes the free-kick, but he scoops it well over the bar. Elanga delivers a low cross from the right, but Garcia is well positioned to clear.
03:41pm
38 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle enjoying a lot more possession now, but you cannot say they look like equalising.
That was better though, more zip in the attack with Elanga laying the ball off for Wissa and Fernandez is booked from dragging the Newcastle forward to the ground. Free-kick in a shooting position.
03:37pm
33 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Good play from Lewis Hall, skipping beyond two challenges to escape from a tight spot but then his crossfield pass is intercepted. Moreira passes the ball straight out of play for a Newcastle goal kick, when there was a chance for Leverkusen to punish the hosts on the break.
03:31pm
29 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Elanga tries to take on Gutierrez but his low cross is too close to Flekken. Gutierrez then buys a foul when under pressure from Lewis Miley. Game has become quite bitty following those stoppages. Maza then chops down Harvery Barnes.
03:29pm
27 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
The game is back under way. Changing kits has improved things visually but it is still not ideal. You wonder how on earth two clubs of this stature failed to liaise on this before the game.
03:27pm
23 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Bayer Leverkusen are still on top, but play has been stopped for a hydration break. Some boos from the stands, it is not an especially hot day.
On the subject of the kit clash, Newcastle are now changing into their lilac away kit. Shades of Manchester United at the Dell all those years ago.
The kitman rides to the rescue - Stu Forster/Getty Images
03:21pm
19 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
A short stoppage in play after Tapsoba receives a knock in the small of the back from Newcastle’s goalkeeper Hornicek. Both managers get their players over for a tactical conflab.
03:19pm
16 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Leverkusen look very accomplished in possession, they are moving the ball well through the lines. Kofane was a big threat when they played Arsenal in last season’s Champions League and they are looking to find him with crosses. Mason Miley defends well at right-back, but at the expense of a corner.
03:14pm
12 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Flekken called into action again, Newcastle starting to warm to their task. It was direct play from first Elanga and then Barnes, but his cross deflects towards the goalkeeper and he parries away. Then Barnes is fouled, and Newcastle have a free-kick in a crossing position near the left corner of the penalty area. Poor delivery from Barnes, Flekken claims.
03:12pm
10 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle fans sing “walking in a Keegan wonderland” in unison. Bade is then penalised for catching Woltemade late as they contested an aerial challenge.
03:11pm
9 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle’s best moment so far: Wissa peels off the shoulder of Bade and tested Flekken with a volley from a tight angle. The goalkeeper saved and Leverkusen scramble clear, but it was good movement from the Newcastle striker.
Yoane Wissa went close for Newcastle - Richard Sellers/PA
03:09pm
6 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Leverkusen continue to make the running, enjoying more possession and most of it is coming inside Newcastle’s half. Goalkeeper Flekken takes a beat inside his own six-yard box, and his pass out is almost cut out by Woltemade.
03:06pm
3 minutes: Newcastle 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1
Newcastle’s players are wearing black armbands in memory of Kevin Keegan.
There is a slightly awkward clash of kits on display: both shirts feature a lot of white, and the blue trim around the shoulders of Newcastle’s home kit is quite similar to Leverkusen’s away strip.
Kofane, who impressed up front last season in Germany, throws himself at a cross.
Fans have complained about the clash of kits - Scott Heppell/Getty Images
03:04pm
GOOOALL! Newcastle behind inside 50 seconds
Fans were barely settled in their seats when Maza’s vicious left-footed strike from outside of the area flew past Hornicek. Cracking goal, not much the goalkeeper could do about it.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza celebrates - Craig Brough/Reuters
03:03pm
KICK OFF!
Newcastle get the game under way.
02:58pm
Teams on their way out at St James’ Park
Matthias Jaissle walks to the home dugout for the first time as manager. Just eight days until the proper stuff begins against Liverpool, a fixture which tends to throw up entertaining games. Bayer Leverkusen keep the home players waiting in the tunnel.
02:13pm
Jarell Quansah with the Bayer Leverkusen squad
The former Liverpool defender has been linked with a move to Arsenal this week. Quansah is with his team-mates but not part of the matchday squad.
Bayer Leverkusen XI: Flekken; Gutierrez, Bade, Fernandez, Moreira, Tillman, Tapsoba, Arthur, Garcia, Maza, Kofane
Subs: Blaswich, Lomb, Hofmann, Terrier, Schick, Oermann, Tape, Poku, Vazquez, Boniface, Tella, Alfa-Ruprecht, Doganay, Hawighorst
Bayer Leverkusen manager Carles Martinez Novell and Jarell Quansah - Richard Sellers/PA
02:06pm
Newcastle team news: Miley brothers start together
Newcastle XI: Hornicek; M Miley, Thiaw (c), Botman, Hall; Steur, L Miley; Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes; Wissa
Subs: Harris, Charlton, Pivas, Sanusi, Johnson, Finneran, Neave
02:00pm
Matthias Jaissle giving little away on signings
Newcastle United continue their preparations for the new season with a home friendly against Bayer Leverkusen, hoping to improve on their pretty limp showing against Everton at Murrayfield.
New manager Matthias Jaissle is refusing to dwell on the departure of key players that has left his club in turmoil going into the Premier League season, insisting that he sees opportunity in the situation. Jaissle was recruited from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli after Eddie Howe left last month, with the German coach joining a club who had lost Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes in quick succession.
“It’s a challenge, a big challenge, always when there’s a transitional period. But it’s not time to complain, it doesn’t make sense to see the negative things,” Jaissle said.
“We want to see the chance in that situation and that’s our approach from day one. We are here to do our best job. We want to support the players, the current squad.
“There will be adjustments to see in the coming days, weeks. But for now it’s only focused on the daily work, the work we can influence. That’s all that matters now.”
The 38-year-old coach arrived in Newcastle having won two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Red Bull Salzburg before leading Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.
He remained tight-lipped about new signings.
“Obviously, in that transition phase, the players who left the club were great players, great characters, experienced players. This is now a vacuum,” he said.
“Either we adjust something in the squad, by signing these players, these profiles, or other players need to step up and fill these positions, these leadership roles. I’m quite optimistic, we can work in both scenarios.”
Jaissle said he had a clear vision of how he wants his team to play.
“The phrase how Newcastle should play like is front-footed, intense, aggressive and of course also successful. In the end, it’s all about what I can say and it’s also why I’m sitting here,” he said.
“The approach we have as a coaching team and the identity of Newcastle is famed for, it’s so linked so close together - which is a perfect fit in my eyes and that’s going to be exciting.”
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: August 15, 2026 at 07:27PM on Source: RED MAG
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