We paid huge price’: Postecoglou reveals certain reasons for Tottenham drastic loss
Ange Postecoglou downplayed concerns after Tottenham’s 100% pre-season record ended with a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at a sold-out Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea. Despite Pedro Porro’s brilliant second-half strike, Spurs couldn’t overturn the early setback caused by a mix-up between Guglielmo Vicario and Djed Spence.
Tottenham fell behind early in the South Korean capital when Gabriel Vidovic capitalized on a defensive error. A miscommunication between Vicario and Spence led to Vidovic’s opener.
Spurs were fortunate to reach half-time trailing only 1-0, as Bayern Munich, under Vincent Kompany’s guidance, dominated the first half.
Tottenham exhibited several defensive frailties before the break. Postecoglou’s side showed some improvement after the interval, but Bayern extended their lead with a goal from half-time substitute Leon Goretzka. Although Porro’s stunning goal with 25 minutes remaining provided a glimmer of hope, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
This defeat marked the first blemish in an otherwise impressive and hectic pre-season for Tottenham. Spurs had previously edged a K-League XI in a thrilling seven-goal match in Seoul and secured victories against reigning J1 League champions Vissel Kobe in Japan, as well as Hearts and QPR on home soil.
Tottenham will face Bayern Munich again in the Visit Malta Cup in North London next weekend before starting the new Premier League season away at promoted Leicester City on August 19. Postecoglou emphasized the importance of these pre-season games for building fitness and cohesion within the squad.
Postecoglou acknowledged that his team was below par in their first encounter with Bayern but stressed the long-term benefits of their rigorous 10-day training camp in East Asia’s heat and humidity.
“It is fair to say the players were showing the effects of us working hard here for 10 days,” Postecoglou remarked post-match. “I think we’ll get an enormous benefit from the camp we’ve done here, but in this game, we perhaps just paid the price for it.”
Postecoglou highlighted the absence of key defensive players, including Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven, who missed pre-season due to surgery and international commitments. He underlined that the primary goal of pre-season is preparation for the competitive season ahead, not winning friendly matches.
“The really important thing for us was that we got 10 days of really solid training. The guys will feel the benefits of it when we get back because they have trained that much in this weather. Pre-season is about getting prepared for the season. We didn’t have Destiny Udogie and we haven’t had three of our back four for all of pre-season. What’s important is the training. As far as I’m aware, you don’t get points for friendly games.”
Key things we learnt from the Bayern Munich Match
- Fitness and Cohesion: The primary objective of the pre-season tour was to build fitness and team cohesion. Despite the defeat, Postecoglou believes the rigorous training camp will benefit the players in the long run.
- Defensive Issues: The absence of key defenders highlighted the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. Addressing these issues will be crucial before the Premier League season kicks off.
- Positive Performances: Despite the loss, there were positives to take from the match, including Porro’s impressive goal and the team’s improved second-half performance.
- Focus on Preparation: Postecoglou’s comments underscore the importance of focusing on long-term preparation over short-term results in pre-season friendlies.
With one more friendly against Bayern Munich before the Premier League season starts, Tottenham will aim to refine their tactics and address any remaining issues. The upcoming match in the Visit Malta Cup provides another opportunity for Postecoglou’s side to test themselves against top opposition and build momentum for the season opener against Leicester City.
Tottenham’s pre-season defeat to Bayern Munich is a minor setback in their broader preparation for the upcoming season. Ange Postecoglou’s focus on rigorous training and long-term benefits underscores the importance of building a strong foundation for the Premier League campaign.
As Tottenham continue their pre-season preparations, the lessons learned from these matches will be invaluable in their quest for success in the 2023/24 season.
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