Postecoglou under a Hidden failed transfer backing to get his desired players signed, reveals what the actual Problem is that led to today’s loss
Ange Postecoglou remained unconcerned despite Tottenham Hotspur’s perfect pre-season record coming to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the sold-out Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea on Saturday. This match saw Tottenham struggle against a well-prepared Bayern side, despite a brilliant second-half strike from Pedro Porro.
Tottenham’s difficulties began early in the game when a mix-up between goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Djed Spence led to a goal by Bayern’s Gabriel Vidovic. This early setback was a clear indication of the defensive frailties that Spurs displayed throughout the first half. Bayern, under the guidance of Vincent Kompany, showcased a dominant performance, capitalizing on Tottenham’s errors and applying relentless pressure. Spurs were fortunate to reach half-time with only a 1-0 deficit.
In the second half, Tottenham showed some signs of improvement. However, they fell further behind when Leon Goretzka, a half-time substitute for Bayern, found the back of the net. Despite Porro’s stunning goal with 25 minutes left on the clock, which briefly sparked hopes of a comeback, Tottenham couldn’t muster a late rally and ultimately succumbed to the German giants.
This defeat was the first blemish on an otherwise strong and busy pre-season campaign for Tottenham. They had previously edged a K-League XI in a thrilling seven-goal match in Seoul, demonstrating their attacking prowess. Additionally, Spurs secured a victory over reigning J1 League champions Vissel Kobe in Japan and enjoyed home soil wins against Hearts and QPR.
Looking ahead, Tottenham will have another opportunity to face Bayern Munich in the Visit Malta Cup in North London next weekend. This match will serve as a final tune-up before they kick off the new Premier League season with an away game against newly promoted Leicester City on August 19.
In his post-match comments, Postecoglou acknowledged that his team was below par in their initial encounter with Bayern. However, he emphasized the long-term benefits of the demanding 10-day training camp in the challenging heat and humidity of East Asia. He pointed out that Tottenham have been without key defensive players this summer, including Destiny Udogie, who is recovering from surgery, as well as Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, both of whom have been on holiday following their international duties at the Copa America and Euro 2024, respectively.
“It’s fair to say the players were feeling the effects of our intensive training here for 10 days,” Postecoglou said after the Bayern match. “I believe we’ll see significant benefits from this camp, although we might have paid the price for it in this game. The crucial aspect for us was securing 10 days of solid training. The players will feel the benefits once we return, having trained extensively in these conditions. I know from my experience in Asia that it’s both physically and mentally exhausting. We’ll have a two-week period to rejuvenate them once we’re back.
“Pre-season is all about preparing for the season. We haven’t had Destiny Udogie and three of our first-choice defenders throughout pre-season. The focus is on the training. To my knowledge, there are no points awarded for friendly matches. It’s important to remember that these games are about building fitness and understanding, not just results.”
Postecoglou’s pragmatic approach highlights the importance of the pre-season in building a strong foundation for the upcoming campaign. While the defeat to Bayern Munich may have exposed some weaknesses, it also provided valuable insights into areas that need improvement. The rigorous training camp, combined with the experience gained from facing high-caliber opponents, is expected to pay dividends as Tottenham gear up for a challenging Premier League season.
As the new season approaches, Tottenham fans can look forward to seeing how the team will integrate their key players back into the squad and how they will apply the lessons learned from their pre-season experiences. With the guidance of Postecoglou and the return of their first-choice defenders, Spurs will aim to build on their pre-season efforts and make a strong start to their Premier League campaign.