Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said he would not use his squad's growing injury list as an excuse after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund left his side bottom of their Champions League group.
Drawn into what has been described as this year's "group of death" alongside Dortmund, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle started the campaign well with a goalless draw in Milan and a superb 4-1 win over PSG at St James' Park.
However, successive defeats to Dortmund mean Newcastle prop up Group G, although AC Milan's 2-1 win over PSG later on Tuesday night has kept the group wide open, with only a point separating the four teams.
Dortmund lead the group on seven points, followed by PSG on six, Milan with five, and Newcastle on four points.
Niclas Fullkrug opened the scoring for Dortmund midway through the first half on Tuesday, his first Champions League goal, before the impressive Julian Brandt sealed the game with a strike 11 minutes from time.
Howe's side were missing several first-team players through injury and suspension, which the manager said meant he had "lost the ability to make certain decisions".
"In a sense, I'm being forced to make certain decisions and pick certain teams," he said. "I'm not going to sit here and make excuses, that's what we have.
"We weren't far away tonight and I think us at our very best, even with the players we have out, is good enough."
Howe's side now face a difficult path to qualify for the knockout stages. Newcastle take on PSG away just three days after hosting Chelsea in the Premier League, while Milan will play at St James' Park three days after the Magpies take on Tottenham in London.
The manager told reporters "the game just came too quickly for us" after Saturday's 1-0 win over fellow Champions League participants Arsenal.
"After what the players have given in recent weeks, the game came too early."
Howe said it was "difficult to tell" if the team could still qualify for the knockout stages, but would "do our best to win our last few games".
"If the best version of ourselves turned up today, the result would have been different," he said.
"Today's task was huge for us and ultimately we weren't good enough."
Dortmund v Newcastle player ratings
-
BORUSSIA DORTMUND RATINGS: Comfortable saves from Schar and Joelinton headers was extent of his first-half exertions. Important block on Livramento cross just after half-time and turned cheeky effort from same player over bar late on but not exactly the busiest of nights for keeper. Reuters -
Back in starting line-up after defence conceded four in Klassiker at weekend and there was much more solidity about Dortmund here. Dealt with Newcastle’s attack comfortably. PA -
Veteran strolled through first half with only Wilson up front for the away side. Busier after break as Newcastle stepped up the gears but Hummels always looked in control. EPA -
German defender was assured figure at back and, like first game at St James’ Park, produced an excellent performance and help team secure second clean sheet on the spin against Newcastle. PA -
Found Livramento a handful during spell at start of second half but generally untroubled. Had one shot easily saved. Getty Images -
Supplied assist for Fullkrug’s goal after beating Hall to ball with ease in first half then sent shot over bar after being put through on goal. Getty Images -
Solid as rock at base of midfield as Dortmund dominated Magpies in centre of park for second game in row. AFP -
Match-winner in corresponding fixture on Tyneside and was finding gaps in between Newcastle lines again at Signal Iduna Park. Hit one lone-range effort straight at keeper just before hour mark. AFP -
Shot straight at Pope when well placed in 15th minute. Newcastle clearly wary of his searing pace and kept him cloesely marked. Great ball out from defence to start counter-attack for second goal. Getty Images -
Blazed game’s first chance high and wide of target. Saw curling strike saved by Pope just after half-time. Somehow not given corner when keeper tipped another effort wide soon after. Calm, low finish on counter-attack to make it 2-0 and seal points for Dortmund. PA -
Drilled shot too close to Pope in 13th minute and Newcastle keeper parried away but made no mistake with confident first-time finish to put side ahead. Reuters -
SUBS: (On for Adeyemi 80’) Getty Images -
(On for Fullkrug 87’) Getty Images -
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Showed solid wrists to parry away Fullkrug and Adeyemi strikes in opening 15 minutes. Good stop from Brandt just after break. No chance with either goal as defence ripped apart. AFP -
Worked one short-corner routine perfectly in 24th minute but couldn’t find teammate with low cross. Switched flanks a couple of times after break as Newcastle tried and failed to find way through home defence. Getty Images -
Saw weak header easily saved by Kobel just after half-hour mark. Caught out of position and missed opportunity to clear ahead of opening goal. Showed frustration at teammates at one point for not offering passing options. Reuters -
Will have been disappointed at the way Dortmund carved through centre of Newcastle defence for Fullkrug goal. Caught out by Dortmund counter-attack for second goal as Newcastle threw bodies forward. EPA -
Teenage left-back picked up early booking for pull on Fullkrug, was then beaten easily by Sabitzer ahead of Dortmund’s opener. Hooked at break as Newcastle couldn't not risk Hall being shown second yellow. EPA -
Showed his versatility playing right-wing, right-back and left-back during the 90 minutes. Saw run and cross scrambled away by Dortmund at start of second half. Perfect cross to pick out Joelinton not long after that Brazilian should have finished. Newcastle's best player. EPA -
Similar to first match at St James’ Park, Newcastle struggled to get grip on midfield and was chasing Dortmund shadows for most of the game, with no sign of him repeating his goal at home to PSG. AFP -
Brazilian’s offensive passing is always crucial for Newcastle but spent more time chasing Dortmund players around here. Disappointing night and cut a frustrated figure by end. Getty Images -
Could not get enough power on header to trouble keeper just before break. But should have levelled for Newcastle in 55th minute when headed great chance from Livramento cross wide. Getty Images -
First chance on goal didn’t come until ambitious low strike just before hour mark that was easily saved. Still building match fitness after long time out injured. AFP -
Newcastle’s top scorer cut an isolated figure in the opening 45 minutes, starved of service and had no attempts on goal. Taken off at break. AFP -
(On for Wilson 46’) Newcastle instantly offered more threat when he came on but couldn’t inspire a Newcastle goal. Getty Images -
(On for Hall 46’) Energy was welcome but no hint of scoring goal that away side desperately needed bar one acrobatic effort that didn't come off. Getty Images -
(On for Willock 80’) Seventeen-year-old Miley became Newcastle's youngest-ever player to appear in European competition. PA
