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The Champions League away game at Borussia Dortmund was the final action for Sandro Tonali last season.
That game in Germany, late October 2023, then seeing a ten months suspension kick in.
A lot of frustrated and angry Newcastle United fans, understandably.
Sandro Tonali the big money stellar signing of summer 2023 and now banned from playing until late August 2024.
You couldn’t make it up.
However, it then swiftly became a simple case of going one of two ways.
Newcastle United fans either letting that frustration and anger carry on and fester forever more, or else put a line under it, make the best of the situation, support Sandro Tonali and look ahead to hopefully better times in the future.
When everything crossed, we might arrive at a situation in the future that is mutually beneficial to both Sandro Tonali and the Newcastle United fans.
On the part of Sandro Tonali, he appeared to do everything he could in that time away from playing.
Putting everything into training, perfecting the language in his new country, whilst doing everything asked of him in terms of educating and supporting those in both Italy and in the UK, who might be struggling with similar gambling issues.
He eventually returned in late August 2024 and was Newcastle’s best player as they knocked Nottingham Forest out of the Carabao Cup.
On Sunday, Sandro Tonali came off the bench and combined with fellow sub Harvey Barnes to kill the game off with a superb third goal for Barnes and assist for Tonali.
The two games before that, an excellent performance and assist for Isak as United stuffed Chelsea and moved into the last eight of the Carabao Cup, before then coming off the bench and helping to see out the victory over Arsenal.
Nobody is pretending that perfection has been reached, for Sandro Tonali or the Newcastle United team and squad. However, the signs are undoubtedly promising.
Some strange people, both journalists and Newcastle United fans, so quick to want to write off the idea of a Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton midfield. So often we see these snap judgements made on so little evidence. Give it time.
Plus, no rule that you have to play the same players in all games, against all opposition. I don’t remember anybody claiming that midfield couldn’t work, after they all started and played so well in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
What I think is clear, is that Sandro Tonali is yet another cracking signing by Eddie Howe, a high quality player, plus a person of character who is determined to repay the Newcastle United fans for their support.
The Italy international has thanks the Newcastle United fans in the past, but I am especially loving this latest, Sandro Tonali having spoken to Sky Italia:
“The behavior of Newcastle United fans during my suspension was unexpected, I want to thank them for not passing any judgment.
“Even when I watched matches at the stadium [St James’ Park], I didn’t feel any criticism.
“Instead, they would shake my hand.
“Which really struck me.
“Because I didn’t expect it.”
Sandro Tonali asked about the challenges now on the pitch, for both himself and the Newcastle United team/squad overall:
“You need to be very good [to compete in the Premier League].
“Even a team with very strong players might not be at the top.
“We always have to be at 100 percent.
“You can win or lose, against both the first and last team in the table.
“Last year didn’t go well for us but that [domestic cup competitions] remains one of our big goals this season.”

 
