Try GOLD - Free
Mags can dance to Tonali's tune and stunt growth of emerging rivals
The Chronicle
|February 18, 2026
BAKU MIGHT FEEL LIKE A BACKWATER, BUT QARABAG HAVE PULLED OFF FINE RESULTS
-
THERE are those who think Qarabag will be something of a shoo-in for a revitalised Newcastle United on their travels - a free pass into the last 16 knockout stage of the Champions League.
Nice thought, we should be so lucky, and true they are not the European powerhouse of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the battalion of Premier League heavyweights, but may I sound a word of warning: Qarabag pack a punch up top and that makes them a genuine danger on their own midden.
They have scored at least two goals in each of their four home Champions League matches, winning 3-2 against Eintracht Frankfurt and 2-0 over Copenhagen, as well as drawing 2-2 with Chelsea and losing 4-2 to Ajax.
United away from home can leak goals, as Eddie Howe is only too aware, despite back-to-back wins, so I suspect his warning will be in six foot high letters. Baku is a long exhausting way to go to get sloppy!
Of course, unlike the FA Cup at Aston Villa, United have the safety net of a second leg at St James' Park and therefore I fully expect the Mags to win through, whatever the result in a far away land as long as we keep it respectable.
The Mags have endured a tough time but seem to have discovered the path out of their maze.
This story is from the February 18, 2026 edition of The Chronicle.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Chronicle
The Chronicle
PURE AND SIMPLE
CITROEN'S C3 IS BACK LOOKING BOLDER AND CHUNKIER, BUT STILL WITH THE SAME COMFORT AND VALUE
3 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Communities are urged to check packaging for Big Plastic Count
HOUSEHOLDS, schools and communities are being urged to record how much plastic packaging they throw away as part of an annual survey to show the true scale of the UK's waste problem.
2 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
JEALOUSY STOPPED MY RETURN TO REDS
STEPHEN WARNOCK claims Gerard Houllier blocked his return to Liverpool because he was jealous.
1 min
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Now Tonali signals his future plans
SANDRO Tonali has dropped a big hint on his future at Newcastle United - by insisting he is already making plans for next season at ‘St James’ Park.
1 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
WATCHMAKER HOPES TO BUILD WORLD CLASS WORKSHOP
A GATESHEAD watchmaker hopes to create a world-class workshop after tapping into five-figure investment to help his start up business grow.
2 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Officer thrown down stairs by thug in attack
A POLICE officer feared he had broken his neck after he was picked up and thrown downstairs in a “terrifying” attack.
2 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Child abuse campaign's legal boost
THE Government has \"effectively allowed the abuse\" of thousands of children by not implementing some recommendations following an inquiry into child sexual exploitation, the High Court has been told.
2 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Eagles aiming to take flight as Phoenix land on Tyneside
NEWCASTLE
2 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Confidence in UK's energy supply despite Iran conflict
ED Miliband is confident the country's energy supply is robust despite the conflict in the Middle East disrupting oil and gas shipping lanes.
2 mins
March 06, 2026
The Chronicle
Renowned comic fan's collection to be auctioned off
PERHAPS the most significant private collection of British comics ever assembled is set to be auctioned as a renowned collector offers his lifetime’s passion to a new generation.
2 mins
March 06, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size