The answer lies in Sandro Tonali | OneFootball

What a performance by Newcastle United!

It reminded me of the match against Man U last December, when we beat them 1-0 at St James’ Park.

Twelve months ago we dominated far more than the scoreline suggested. Similarly, our display against Leicester wasn’t just about the result, it was about the style of play that left me glowing with satisfaction.

Some might argue, “It’s only Leicester,” but let’s not forget this is a team that managed to get four points at home against West Ham and Brighton, something NUFC failed to do.

Newcastle United have been criticised for not showing up against bottom-half teams, yet this time we did, in style.

The big question is whether this is what we should expect from now on, or if it’s just another example of the inconsistency that might define our season.

The answer, I believe, lies in Sandro Tonali.

We already knew he was a top player but when played in the right role, he’s transformative.

What does he bring to the table compared to Bruno Guimaraes?

This isn’t a criticism of Bruno, Eddie Howe has emphasised that both can play as a number six, but they bring different styles to the role.

Technically, Tonali has a unique ability to receive the ball and quickly release it with precision, often in just one or two touches. This speeds up our play significantly. His awareness and body positioning allow him to shield the ball effectively while setting up one-twos with teammates. As he releases the ball so early, he’s rarely dispossessed in our half, making him instrumental in launching quick counter-attacks.

Sandro Tonali also seems quicker off the mark and more agile than Bruno. While Bruno might have better top-end speed over longer distances, Tonali’s agility allows him to react swiftly to danger in defensive situations. Add to that his exquisite one-touch passing, and you have a player perfectly suited to Newcastle’s high-tempo attacking style. The speed of play we displayed was so opposite of the oft criticised laborious play this season.

Opposition coaches often try to neutralize Bruno by cutting off his supply line. They double-mark him, make soft fouls, or press aggressively to disrupt our rhythm. Against Leicester, Tonali countered this tactic by constantly moving into spaces around 30 or 40 yards from our goal, always making himself available as a passing option and less difficult to foul against. This greatly enhances our attacking momentum.

The biggest beneficiary of this shift was Lewis Hall.

Previously, when building from the back against high-press teams, Hall often had limited options:

a) pass back to Dan Burn,

b) wait for Joelinton to support, or

c) rely on Anthony Gordon dropping deep

With Tonali providing support, Hall has more play options to choose and allow Gordon to stay higher up the pitch. In attack, Hall could also overlap with more freedom and confidence as he had Tonali covering his back. We have seen how Gordon attacks the left at speed with Hall as back up against Leicester to devastating effect. More of the same please.

Another benefit of Sandro Tonali playing as a defensive midfielder is how it frees Bruno to flourish in a more advanced role. Instead of staying deep to dictate play, Bruno can focus on creating chances and getting into goalscoring positions. Against Leicester he had three good opportunities, all stemming from interplay on the left involving Hall and Gordon.

The number six role demands discipline and defensive awareness, which suits Sandro Tonali perfectly. As a number eight, Bruno now has the freedom to roam, support Tonali, or join the attack. This minor tactical reshuffle has made the team more fluid from back to front, giving our forwards more consistent support.

If this balance between Tonali and Bruno continues, Newcastle could become a much more dynamic and unpredictable team. The attack looks sharper, the transitions are faster, and the midfield feels more robust.

Let’s hope this is just the beginning and that the goals flow as a result.