Chapter 13 Pre-Season (3)
The entire stadium gasped as Jacob Murphy's shot ricocheted off the crossbar. The Mainz defense scrambled to clear the ball, but Newcastle's attack had come alive in the final moments. Angel Di María surged forward, collecting the ball on the left wing and cutting inside, his eyes locked on goal.
Di María danced past two Mainz defenders, threading his way into the box before unleashing a fierce shot toward the far post. It sailed just inches wide, drawing another collective groan from the Newcastle supporters.
"Unlucky! Stay sharp!" Rafa Benítez called from the touchline, urging his team to keep up the pressure.
The game had swung in Newcastle's favor as the minutes ticked down. Bruno Guimarães continued to orchestrate the midfield, showing incredible composure under Mainz's pressing game, while de Ligt was a commanding presence in defense, cutting off every counter-attack Mainz attempted.
In the 85th minute, Max Aarons made another marauding run down the right flank. His speed was relentless, and as he charged toward the box, he delivered a low cross into the feet of Salomón Rondón, who flicked it toward goal. The Mainz keeper reacted quickly, diving low to save the shot.
Rondón cursed under his breath, knowing that was the chance to take the lead. But as the final whistle blew, the match ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. It was a test of endurance and tactical flexibility for Newcastle, who had faced one of their toughest pre-season opponents yet.
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The locker room atmosphere was muted but focused. The team had pushed hard, but there was still work to be done.
Rafa paced in front of the players, his face betraying no emotion. "Good work today, but we need to be more clinical in the final third. We had the chances to win, but you didn't put them away." He turned to Di María and Murphy, who had been central to most of Newcastle's attacks. "You both did well, but next time, those chances need to hit the back of the net."
Di María nodded quietly, wiping the sweat from his brow, while Murphy looked more frustrated than anything. He'd come close twice but had nothing to show for it.
Rafa continued, "We also need to stay tighter in the middle. Mainz caught us out a few times in transition. That won't happen if we're more compact and smart with our positioning."
As the players began to pack up, Rafa turned to de Ligt, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good job out there. Keep leading from the back, and remember to communicate. You're the eyes of the defense."
De Ligt, always stoic, nodded. "Yes, boss. I'll make sure we're tighter next game."
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August 1: Braga at Estádio Municipal
After their challenging draw in Germany, Newcastle traveled to Portugal for their next pre-season clash against SC Braga. The team had begun to gel, but Rafa was still rotating heavily, trying out different combinations in both attack and defense. With the Premier League season looming, this was one of the final chances to fine-tune tactics.
The trip to Estádio Municipal de Braga was picturesque, the stadium carved into the mountainside, creating a dramatic backdrop for the game. The players walked out onto the field for the warm-up, soaking in the atmosphere, the evening sun casting long shadows across the pitch.
In the locker room before the game, Rafa addressed the team. "Today's about working on our possession game. Braga are a technical side, and they'll press hard. We need to keep the ball moving quickly and break their lines."
Youri Tielemans and Bruno Guimarães were once again partnered in midfield, their chemistry growing with each match. In defense, Paul Dummett and Ben Mee started alongside Schär, while Freddie Woodman was given another opportunity in goal.
Rafa continued his briefing, pointing to Ayoze Pérez, who would be starting up front alongside Di María. "Ayoze, I need you pressing high and making runs in behind. Braga's center-backs aren't the fastest, and we can exploit that."
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From the opening whistle, Braga came at Newcastle with intensity. Their high press put Newcastle's defense under immediate pressure, forcing Schär and Mee to clear the ball long more often than they would have liked. But as the first half progressed, Bruno Guimarães began to dictate play, finding space and delivering pinpoint passes to relieve the pressure.
In the 20th minute, Ayoze Pérez nearly put Newcastle ahead after a clever through ball from Tielemans sent him one-on-one with the Braga keeper. Pérez's shot, however, was well saved, and Newcastle missed a golden opportunity to take the lead.
The match was a tactical chess game, with both sides probing for weaknesses. Braga's midfield was quick and agile, but Guimarães and Tielemans matched them step for step, keeping the game balanced.
In the 40th minute, Di María picked up the ball on the left wing and cut inside, curling a shot toward the top corner. The Braga keeper made a stunning save, tipping it over the bar, but Newcastle were gaining momentum.
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At halftime, Rafa made several changes, bringing on Rondón for Pérez and Jacob Murphy for Di María. He also introduced Isaac Hayden to shore up the midfield defensively, replacing Tielemans.
As the second half began, Newcastle started to find more rhythm. Rondón's physical presence up front caused problems for Braga's defense, and in the 60th minute, he nearly scored with a header that grazed the post.
Braga, however, remained dangerous on the counter. In the 70th minute, a quick break down the left side saw them deliver a dangerous cross into the box. Woodman reacted quickly, diving low to save a close-range shot, keeping the scoreline level.
With the clock ticking down, Newcastle pressed for a winner. In the 85th minute, Murphy beat his man on the wing and sent a driven cross into the box. Rondón met it with a powerful header, but once again, Braga's keeper was equal to it, making a reflex save that denied Newcastle the lead.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, but the performance was encouraging. Newcastle had controlled much of the game and created several clear chances, but their finishing let them down.
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August 4: FC Augsburg at St James' Park
The final pre-season match was back on home soil at St James' Park against FC Augsburg. It was a chance for the Newcastle fans to see their new signings up close, and the atmosphere was electric as the players took to the field.
Rafa had saved his strongest lineup for this game, with Matthijs de Ligt, Max Aarons, Angel Di María, and Bruno Guimarães all starting. Rondón led the line, and Rafa opted to start Martin Dúbravka in goal for the first time since the Hearts game.
In the locker room before the match, Rafa addressed his team with a calm intensity. "This is our final test before the season starts. I want you all to play with focus and urgency. Augsburg are no pushovers, but if we play our game, we win."
As the players prepared to head out, Rafa gave a final word to de Ligt, who was quickly becoming the leader of the defense. "Matthijs, organize the backline. Keep them talking, and make sure we don't lose shape."
De Ligt nodded, his calm demeanor hiding the fire within. "Yes boss!"
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The game kicked off to raucous applause from the Newcastle faithful. From the first minute, Newcastle looked sharp, pressing Augsburg high up the pitch and controlling possession. Bruno Guimarães and Youri Tielemans linked up beautifully in midfield, dictating the flow of the game and keeping Augsburg pinned back.
In the 25th minute, Newcastle's pressure paid off. Di María, cutting inside from the left, floated a cross to the far post where Rondón leaped above the defenders and headed the ball into the back of the net.