‘He will play’: Ange Postecoglou confirms he will use ‘unbelievable’ player vs Bayern for first time since April
Tottenham Hotspur are set to face Bayern Munich in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday, marking the culmination of what has been a rigorous and well-planned preparation period. Over the past month, Spurs have been hard at work, honing their skills and building their fitness to ensure they’re fully prepared for the upcoming season. New head coach Ange Postecoglou is eager to cap off this intensive pre-season with a victory, which would not only boost morale but also set a positive tone heading into the new campaign.
Just last week, Tottenham squared off against Bayern Munich, a clash that saw the German side emerge victorious with a 2-1 win. Goals from Gabriel Vidovic and Leon Goretzka secured the win for Bayern, leaving Spurs with a desire for revenge. Now, as they prepare to meet once again, this time on home turf at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Postecoglou’s men have a chance to even the score. The team has received a significant boost ahead of this match, which could tip the scales in their favor.
One of the most exciting developments for Tottenham is the return of Destiny Udogie, who has been a standout performer for the club. Udogie, an Italian left-back, was initially signed during Antonio Conte’s tenure but was loaned back to Udinese for the 2022/23 season. Upon his return last summer, Postecoglou quickly identified Udogie as his preferred choice for the left-back position. The 21-year-old had an exceptional season, solidifying his place in the team with his impressive performances. Unfortunately, his progress was halted in April when he suffered a season-ending injury, which also forced him to miss out on Euro 2024.
Udogie’s absence has been felt throughout pre-season, as he has yet to make an appearance. However, that is about to change. In his recent press conference, Postecoglou confirmed that Udogie has successfully completed a two-week training block and is ready to make his return to action against Bayern Munich. The Australian coach expressed his delight at having Udogie back, stating, “Destiny has had a good two-week block of training, so he will play a part tomorrow, which is a positive for us.” This news has undoubtedly lifted spirits among Spurs fans, who are eager to see Udogie back on the pitch.
While Udogie’s return is a significant boost, Tottenham will still be without two key players for the Bayern Munich clash. The 2023/24 season was a challenging one for Spurs, with injuries taking a toll on the squad. Udogie, along with Micky van de Ven and James Maddison, missed large portions of the season, and Manor Solomon struggled with fitness issues throughout the campaign. As they look ahead to the 2024/25 season, Spurs are hoping for better luck on the injury front.
For now, both Richarlison and Fraser Forster have been ruled out of the upcoming match against Bayern. However, there is optimism that they will be fit in time for Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Leicester City. Postecoglou provided an update on their progress, saying, “Richy and Fraser have got back into training this week and both had a good block of training. They won’t feature tomorrow, but with another week’s training before the start of the season, hopefully, they’ll be in a good place.” Despite their absence from the friendly, the prospect of having both players ready for the start of the league campaign is encouraging for Tottenham.
As Spurs gear up for their final pre-season test, all eyes will be on how they fare against a formidable Bayern Munich side. With Udogie set to make his return and the team showing signs of improvement, there is a growing sense of optimism among the Tottenham faithful. A victory on Saturday would be the perfect way to end their pre-season preparations and set the stage for a successful 2024/25 campaign.
