Newcastle United also won the second leg of the Champions League against Qarabag Agdam. Offensive player Nick Woltemade is moving into a different role for the Magpies.
Nick Woltemade gave himself a high-five before stepping onto the pitch at St. James’ Park. The Newcastle United attacker wanted to be particularly alert in this game against Qarabag Agdam.
The German professional was certainly not concerned that he and his colleagues had to fear that they might miss the round of 16 of the Champions League against the team from Azerbaijan. The 6-1 away win in the first leg of the second round a week ago was too clear for that.
They also sat down in the second leg Magpies (Magpies) with 3:2 (2:0). The goals for Newcastle were scored by Sandro Tonali (4th), Joelinton (6th) and Sven Botman (52nd). Camilo Durán (50th) and Elvin Cəfərquliyev (57th) scored for Agdam.
Howe: “Unique strengths”
But for Woltemade, this game was not just an unexciting success, but rather another personal test. The 24-year-old is currently undergoing a transformation process in Newcastle. Woltemade has recently been retrained by his coach Eddie Howe, from a classic center forward to a playmaker with a lot of freedom.
“He has no problem being different”said coach Howe before the game about his tall offensive player. “And that gives him unique strengths on the football field.“
Complex task
The coach’s trust in Woltemade seems to be great; Howe sees him as more than a classic nine. And so the lanky German acted against Agdam in the headquarters, a task that he tried to fulfill with a lot of effort and running on both the offensive and defensive sides.
He also determined his team’s pressing attempts, distributed the ball carefully and provided assists. A complex role for Woltemade, but one with which he was by no means unfamiliar. He didn’t succeed in everything, but he did hint at why Howe’s idea might work.
Ten games not scored
The coach wants to use all of this for his team’s extensive technical skills and Woltemade’s understanding of the game. Probably also because the striker’s (scoring) magic evaporated after the first few weeks in the northernmost English city.
Woltemade hasn’t scored in the Premier League for ten games and at least he managed one assist. After a remarkable start to the season with his new club – seven goals after 17 games – he has recently stopped. As a kind of free spirit, Woltemade seems to be more valuable to his coach.
However, it is unlikely that national coach Julian Nagelsmann sees the national player in a similarly flexible and creative role as Howe, also with a view to the upcoming World Cup in the summer. “As far as his national team career is concerned, it will be good for Nick if he plays well for us in every position”said the Magpies coach.
