Newcastle United lost to Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at St James’ Park. The match was part of Newcastle’s preparation for the upcoming Premier League season. Victor Boniface scored the winning goal for Leverkusen in the 82nd minute, curling a shot into the far corner of the net. Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle was unable to field his strongest team due to injuries, and the defeat was the team’s second in a row, following a loss to Everton.

The pre-season friendly schedule has been busy for Newcastle, with matches against teams such as Darlington, Gateshead, Bristol City, and Valencia. The team’s performance in these matches will be crucial in determining their readiness for the upcoming Premier League season. Jaissle’s team selection for the Leverkusen match suggested that he was splitting his squad across multiple friendlies, rather than fielding his strongest team in each match.

The Premier League pre-season friendlies have been underway for several weeks, with teams such as Manchester United, Leeds United, and Liverpool participating in matches against various opponents. The friendlies provide an opportunity for teams to test their squads, try out new formations, and prepare for the upcoming season. Newcastle’s next match is against French outfit Strasbourg, which will be another important test for the team as they prepare for the Premier League campaign. With the season opener against Liverpool just around the corner, Jaissle will be looking to improve his team’s performance and build momentum before the start of the season.