LUCKY ESCAPE: MALICK THIAW'S VAR REPRIEVE STILL LEAVES UCL SUSPENSION LOOMING
Newcastle's draw with Leverkusen secured a crucial point, but three key players—Thiaw, Joelinton, and Burn—are now just one yellow card away from a critical Champions League suspension.
Newcastle drew with Leverkusen after a tough match, with a final score of 2-2.
Bruno Guimaraes scored an own goal, putting Leverkusen in the lead. Anthony Gordon then equalised with a penalty in the second half. Lewis Miley, a substitute, made it 2-1 for Newcastle before Alejandro Grimaldo levelled the score in the 88th minute.
This point should be enough for Newcastle to move on to the next round of the competition. But it makes it harder for them to get straight to the last 16 by finishing in the top eight.
Eddie Howe's team also has a few players who need to be careful to avoid suspensions in the coming Champions League games.
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NUFC Trio Could Be Banned from Champions League
Malick Thiaw is the latest Newcastle player at risk of a Champions League ban after getting his second yellow card this season.
When Leverkusen was up 1-0, things looked even worse for Newcastle when Thiaw fouled Patrik Schick near the penalty box. The referee initially called a penalty and gave Thiaw a yellow card, but VAR showed the foul was outside the area.
Newcastle got lucky as Thiaw wasn't sent off, and Leverkusen only got a free kick, which didn't lead to anything.
If a player gets three yellow cards in the Champions League before the semi-finals, they automatically get a one-match ban. So, Thiaw will likely be banned if Newcastle advances further in the competition.
This means Thiaw is just one yellow card away from being suspended for Newcastle's last two group matches against PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain.
Joelinton is also close to a ban, having received a booking in the first two group matches. He managed to avoid a booking in Newcastle's last four Champions League games, and he scored in their 2-0 win over Athletic Club last month.
Joelinton is also one yellow card away from a suspension in the Carabao Cup, but has only been booked three times in the Premier League so far. To be banned in the Premier League, he needs two more bookings before matchday 20.
Dan Burn is also at risk of a ban after getting his second yellow card against Marseille.
All yellow cards are cleared after the quarter-finals and don't carry over to the semi-finals.
What About Other Newcastle United Players?
Aaron Ramsdale, Joe Willock, and Anthony Gordon are the other Newcastle players who have received yellow cards in the Champions League this season. They would need two more bookings to face a ban.
The only exception is if they get a red card.
But, for a bad foul, UEFA can make the punishment worse, like extending it to other competitions or making the ban longer.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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