Valencia 1-2 Newcastle: What we learned after Matthias Jaissle's first game in charge
Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle makes winning start with 2-1 victory at 10-man Valencia; Yoane Wissa's second-half double earned win at Mestalla; Anthony Elanga stretchered off in first half after red-card horror tackle by Jose Gaya - but winger does not appear to have serious injury
Sunday 9 August 2026 13:10, UK
Substitute Yoane Wissa scored twice to give Matthias Jaissle a winning start as Newcastle boss with a 2-1 comeback pre-season win at 10-man Valencia.
But what did we learn from Jaissle's first match in charge of Newcastle?
Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie breaks down all the key talking points from The Mestalla...
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Change in formation
I was keen to see how Jaissle would set his new team up, and what changes we would see from Eddie Howe's favoured 4-3-3.
The German went with a 4-2-3-1, with four attackers starting (Will Osula, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga).
Woltemade started in the No 10 role, which many have been calling for for some time. Under Howe last season he was often played in midfield, but he struggled here. He looked off the pace and was dispossessed frequently.
However, I think Jaissle will persist with the 4-2-3-1 and his compatriot. The formation helps get an extra attacker into the team.
I like the fact he's looked at the players at his disposal and opted for a formation that gets as many of them into the team as possible. He could easily switch to a 4-3-3 as well.
Elanga's injury
Anthony Elanga, fresh from a strong World Cup showing for Sweden, looked electric in the first half-hour last night.
That was until he found himself on the receiving end of a horror challenge from Valencia skipper Jose Gaya.
The Spaniard was shown a straight red for the lunging first-half tackle, that Jaissle said was shocking post-match, particularly in a friendly.
Jaissle admitted he feared a serious injury for the flying winger, but the post-match news has been positive. It looks like a dead leg and some heavy bruising for Elanga, with Jaissle admitting they are "blessed" by the outcome.
If the former Manchester United winger can start the season the way he began the match last night, Newcastle will start to see some of last summer's £55m outlay repaid. He's got a lot to improve on from last season, but the early signs are positive.
New signings
Newcastle have added five players in this transfer window, with two of them goalkeepers. Three of the five (Lukas Hornicek, Aladji Bamba and Bazou Toure) made their debuts and I was impressed.
Bamba gave the ball away a couple of times but he looked physical and imposing. I also liked his manipulation of the ball in tight areas. He's only 20, so Jaissle will not want to put too much pressure on him, but to me he looks like he should have the tools to hit the ground running in the Premier League.
He played the first 45 minutes before being replaced by Sean Steur. The Dutchman is two years Bamba's junior, but his summer showings belie his tender age.
He's been the star of pre-season for Newcastle, and really looked the part in the second half. Front-footed, he sprayed the ball about well and pressed. His presence played a big part in Newcastle's comeback win. It will be interesting to see which of the two (Bamba or Steur) get into the team first, because I don't expect both to start in the same team in the beginning.
I'd expect Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Miley and/or Joelinton to be in the team against Liverpool in their curtain raiser.
Winger Bazou Toure played the second half and laid Yoane Wissa's second on a plate for him. Having signed for £40m, he's raw and unpredictable, but he looks like he could cause defences problems as an unknown quantity. Travelling Newcastle fans left The Mestalla waxing lyrical about his second-half display.
Hornicek in goal? Solid display, and could do nothing about Valencia's early stunner. From the way Jaissle was speaking last night, he'll displace Nick Pope as the club's no.1.
Wissa's new start
Sub Wissa notched both goals in this 2-1 comeback win.
Like Elanga, he looks like he has benefitted from the World Cup, where he scored three times for DR Congo. He was at it again last night and looked hungry and sharp.
Many Newcastle fans are calling for a goalscorer to be bought this summer, but if Wissa can take this form into the season maybe they don't need one.
My understanding is Newcastle are not targeting a striker this window... unless they sell one. And I think that's very unlikely.
I'm still not sure about Woltemade as a No 9, and Osula was quiet. If I was Jaissle, I'd start the season with Wissa through the middle and try and capitalise on his growing confidence.
The season before last he scored 19 for Brentford, so he knows his way to goal and he proved that in the Premier League. Newcastle looked like they'd wasted £55m on him last season as he struggled all campaign to get over a knee injury he suffered before he'd even kicked a ball for his new team.
Like Elanga, perhaps now is the time to kick on. He's showing the character required...
What more does Jaissle need?
Deep in the bowels of the stifling Mestalla, Jaissle last night said his squad is not complete.
My understanding is Newcastle will sign up to three more players before the window is out. They are light at full-back (both Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento were absent last night and they had very little cover). So, I think it's a definite they'll bring in at least one full-back.
The ideal scenario would be to sign a player who can play on both sides, like Livramento, but that's not simple.
They also want to add more experience in midfield to help some of the younger players settle, hence their move for Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
At £15m, it's not the replacement the Newcastle fans had in mind for Bruno Guimaraes, but maybe someone like the Dane with his vast experience - 97 caps for Denmark and eight years in The Premier League - will help in the short term.
If Hojbjerg doesn't happen, they will still add another midfielder. I also think they may look to add a right winger.
Elanga can't yet be relied upon, with Jacob Murphy the other option. It has long been a position Newcastle have been light on, so don't be surprised to see them add a right winger late in the window.
But any pressing need for new players will have been helped somewhat by last night's positive display in The Mestalla. It's going to be an intriguing three weeks ahead.
