'Fish out of water' - Sandro Tonali slammed as Newcastle United star adds to the misery
It was a good night for one Newcastle United star - but a bad night for a certain midfielder.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo was a late substitute for Belgium in their 2-0 UEFA Nations League win in Italy on Friday night.
Newcastle United’s £51million summer signing had started back-to-back matches against Leeds United and Hull City before the international break, but had to settle for a place on the bench in Rome.
Belgium were already two goals to the good when Fernandez-Pardo was introduced in the 83rd minute, replacing Paris Saint-Germain winger Mika Godts, who had opened the scoring in the first half. Dodi Lukebakio of Benfica later doubled the lead.
We have launched a new NUFC YouTube channel to bring the latest Newcastle United news and analysis. Click this link and subscribe to NUFC Press Box.
Despite his limited minutes on the pitch, Fernandez-Pardo somehow managed to pick up a yellow card, not that he or his teammates cared after winning their UEFA Nations League Group 1 opener.
Belgium host France Monday night before matches against Turkey and the away match against the French, where Fernandez-Pardo will be hoping for more minutes.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali slammed by Italian media
Meanwhile, former Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali played a full 90 minutes for Italy, who were booed off the pitch at half-time and full-time.
The 26-year-old has struggled for form following his £100million move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, with the North London outfit currently bottom of the Premier League after the opening five matches.
And Tonali’s struggles continued in his homeland. Italian newspaper Tuttosport handed Tonali a 5.5/10, writing that “as a midfielder he seems like a fish out of water: so many technical errors for a player of his level.”