Goals from the friendly match between Tottenham vs Bayern Munich
The match started well for Spurs, with Dejan Kulusevski scoring just 25 seconds into the game, displaying excellent striker instincts after initiating the move himself and finishing off a deflected ball from Joshua Kimmich inside Bayern’s box. However, Bayern soon took control, netting twice from set pieces, with a goal from Serge Gnabry sandwiched in between. Gnabry capitalized on Yves Bissouma’s failed clearance from a poor Guglielmo Vicario pass, driving a low shot past the keeper from outside the box.
In the second half, Ange Postecoglou made eight substitutions, and Spurs immediately looked sharper. Kulusevski scored his second after being set up by Lucas Bergvall, who did well to win the ball in a press before linking up with Son Heung-min and feeding his compatriot. Despite late pressure, Tottenham couldn’t find an equalizer as both teams emptied their benches.
Here are my top 10 talking points from the match:
Selection Consistency: Despite struggles in the first game against Bayern, Postecoglou surprisingly made just one change, bringing Yves Bissouma in for Archie Gray. Bayern also fielded a similar lineup, which likely contributed to the high quality of play from the start, though Spurs couldn’t sustain it throughout the first half.
Kulusevski as a Striker Option: Dejan Kulusevski played as a striker for most of preseason and looked comfortable in the role. He opened the scoring within 23 seconds, showing his ability to lead the line with excellent hold-up play and a sharp finish. He scored again in the second half after a good move involving Lucas Bergvall. Could this be his best position in Postecoglou’s system?
Set Piece Struggles: Tottenham’s issues with set pieces from the 23/24 season continued. Both of Bayern’s first-half goals came from simple back-post crosses, highlighting a defensive weakness that must be concerning for Postecoglou.
Djed Spence’s Struggles: Djed Spence had a mixed performance, particularly in defense. While he had some bright moments going forward, he struggled to keep up with Serge Gnabry, often losing his marker and showing vulnerabilities in open space. It’s unclear if his difficulties were due to playing on the left side, but he didn’t help his case as a backup to Pedro Porro.
Postecoglou’s Mass Changes: Unusually for a late preseason match, Postecoglou made eight changes at halftime, possibly due to dissatisfaction with the first-half performance. Only Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Guglielmo Vicario stayed on.
Defensive Reinforcements: The substitutions allowed a first look this preseason at three of last season’s starting back four: Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven. The defense immediately looked more solid, particularly on the left, as Udogie’s presence quieted Bayern’s attacks.
Gray as Right-Back: Archie Gray, playing as a right-back for the first time this season, shined after some shaky midfield performances. He defended well and contributed offensively, showing quick feet and excellent passing to help Spurs progress up the pitch.
Tactical Fouling: Much like in the reverse fixture, Bayern employed numerous tactical fouls to stop counters, largely going unpunished by the referee. The match turned increasingly combative, with some fouls approaching dangerous levels, particularly Joao Palhinha’s late swipe at Mikey Moore.
Bergvall Scare: A frightening moment occurred when Lucas Bergvall collapsed on the pitch clutching his throat and chest. Fortunately, he recovered and finished the match, but the incident was alarming.
Past and Future: A special moment came late in the match as Harry Kane stepped onto the Tottenham Hotspur pitch for the first time since his departure, alongside young academy striker Will Lankshear. It felt like a symbolic passing of the torch, though time will tell if Lankshear can eventually fill Kane’s shoes. More information. #soccer #goal #goals #puskas #goalkeepersaves #goalkeepertraining #soccergoals #tottenham #bayerdemunique
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