FRIENDLY FIXTURE
VISIT MALTA CUP
SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST, 2024
(5.30pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1) BAYERN MUNICH 3(3)

Spurs scorer:-
Kulusevski, 1, 61

Bayern scorers:-
Upamecano, 16
Gnabry, 31
Muller, 44

Attendance:- 61,084

Referee:- Chris Kavanagh
Assistants:- Lee Betts, Richard West
Fourth official:- Josh Smith

Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-1-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 14. Gray, 46), 6. Dragusin (sub 17. Romero, 46), 33. Davies (sub 37. Van de Ven, 46), 24. Spence (sub 13. Udogie, 46); 29. Sarr (sub 4. Skipp, 46), 8. Bissouma (sub 30. Bentancur, 46); 10. Maddison (sub 15. Bergvall, 46); 22. Johnson (sub 16. Werner, 46), 21. Kulusevski (sub 59. Moore, 66), 7. Son (Capt.) (sub 62. Lankshear, 80)
Armband to Romero Subs not used:- 40. Austin, 46. Gunter (GKs); 45. Devine, 27. Solomon

Booked:- Dragusin (foul on Tel), Lankshear (foul)

Bayern (4-2-3-1):- 1. Neuer (Capt.) (sub 26. Ulreich, 46); 44. Stanisic , 2. Upamecano (sub 15. Dier, 46), 3. Kim Min-Jae (sub 47. Aseko, 89), 22. Guerreiro (sub 32, Licina, 79); 6. Kimmich (sub 9. Kane, 80), 45. Pavlovic (sub 16. Palhinha, 62); 42. Musiala (sub 27. Laimer, 46); 7. Gnabry (sub 11. Coman, 62), 25. Muller (sub 46. Vidovic, 46) , 39. Tel (sub 48. Aznou, 46)
Armband to Kimmich, then to Kane

Subs not used:- 50. Klanac(GK); 4. De Ligt, 40. Mazraoui; 8. Goretzka; 31. Irankunda, 33. Fernandez

Booked:- Dier (unsporting conduct), Coman (unsporting conduct)

Spurs end pre-season campaign with second defeat to Bayern

Thanks to Cassim Patel for this picture

Spurs ended their six-game pre-season programme at home in front of a 61,000 crowd with a second defeat in 8 days to Bayern Munich. Again, defeat was by one goal. The two matches took place 5,500 miles apart with both teams having travelled from Seoul in the last week.

Most of the fans probably came to see Spurs legend Harry Kane playing for the opposition. England captain Kane only returned to training this week and his fans had to wait until 10 minutes from the end to see him play. Harry did manage two shots on goal in his brief time on the pitch, both of which flew a little too high over Vicario's goal.

Kane and Eric Dier (who also wears number 15 for Bayern) were presented with mementoes before the game by Ledley King, to great applause.

Spurs had announced the £65 million signing of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke earlier in the day, and he was formally presented to the crowd before kick-off along with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Solanke will have to wait for Leicester a week on Monday for game time, but both Gray and Bergvall impressed in their second-half appearances. Solanke watched the game beside his new competitor Richarlison.

Emerson Royal was not present and is said to be signing for Milan today (Sunday). Fraser Forster (still nursing and injured foot) and Giovani Lo Celso (looking for a club?) were also not involved. Spurs welcomed back their remaining international stars this week and in the second half we had something resembling our first choice defence for the first time in this friendly campaign.

Friendlies are not about results of course, but about gaining fitness and sharpness on the playing field. They are also about learning, but Spurs still have not learnt how to play out from the back and for the second week in succession they gifted Bayern Munich one of their goals. This habit must be eradicated next week!

On the plus side, apart from the continuing development of exciting youngsters, including Mikey Moore (who is 17 today and said to be getting a nice new contract), we have seen Dejan Kulusevski emerge in style as a very effective "false nine". "Deki" scored both our goals today. The second was real quality, served up in similar style by Bergvall.

The Bayern side was similar to that which started last week but included ace defender Upamecano and Euros star Musiala. De Ligt and Mazraoui were on the bench but are said to be signing for Manchester United this week. Summer signing Michael Olise has been starring in The Olympic Games for France.

There was a trumpet-led rendition of "Oh when the Spurs" before the visitors kicked off and played towards the South Stand. Spurs immediately broke out of their own half. Son led us out; Johnson crossed from the right and whilst Kulusevski's first touch was off target, the ball rebounded to him off Kimmich and "Deki" accepted the second chance! The goal was timed at just 23 seconds.

Spurs' bright start continued with a high press. Pedro Porro fed Son, who was blocked before he could shoot or return a cross.

Bayern were soon threatening, and Ben Davies got the chance to prevent Gnabry from scoring. The one-time Arsenal man took too long over his attempt on goal. The German side was soon getting into its stride, albeit being somewhat profligate. Musial found Tel on the left, but his shot passed wide of the far post.

Kulusevski did well, latching onto Maddison's sharp ball down the left channel but his attempt to further the move was cut out. Tel crossed for Gnabry, but he fired over the target.

A powerful run out of his half by Bissouma was brought to an end roughly by Guerreiro and referee Chris Kavanagh "had words". Gnabry failed again beyond the back post when Tel crossed from the left. Bayern took the lead when Kimmich took a free kick from the left. This was headed down by Tel, parried by Vicario, but finished off at close range by Upamecano.

Vicario was soon under pressure again and had to punch Stanisic's cross clear. Spurs had a couple of corners with no return. A better chance came following an impressive advance by Djed Spence through the middle. He passed to Son on the left, but Maddison could not quite reach his cross.

Spence was not so good at the other end with a dodgy play-out move, but Gnabry didn't make the most of his opportunity. After a Spurs counter-attack, Son's low cross passed just in front of the far post. Son even tried to catch out Neuer with a 40 yard shot, but the keeper recovered and caught the ball.

Maddison recovered after a clash of heads at a Bayern corner, but Gnabry did take advantage of Vicario's gift in the 31st minute. Musiala shot wide after Pedro Porro over-committed and Bayern advanced down his wing. Vicario made a great save from Musiala after he received from Tel. Upamecano thwarted Kulusevski after another Maddison pass.

Stanisic intercepted when Pedro Porro aimed a cross at Son. Maddison's corner was held. Dragusin was booked when he brought down Tel just outside the box on the left. Guerreiro took this kick and Thomas Muller (35 in September) dived to head home.

In added time James Maddison hit a left footed shot from 25 yards just outside the post. James was one of a raft of half-time substitutions and will be hoping to be picked against his old team a week on Monday.

Thanks to Stuart Gibson for this picture

Archie Gray took over at right back. We have seen him at centre-back and in midfield already. He showed plenty of skill and good footwork in tight situations up and down the wing. Similarly, Bergvall is a ball-winner and a skilful passer.

Werner took over on the left, with Son in the middle. Timo got into the box after only a minute, but his shot was easy for second half keeper Ulreich. The Bayern defence was scrambling after a quick free kick by Bergvall gave Udogie a chance to advance into the area. At the back Micky van de Ven intercepted Laimer's attempt.

Gnabry and Kimmich were among the Bayern players staying in the second half and after a one-two exchange Gnabry hit the side netting. Eric Dier looped a near post effort over after a corner on the right, in front of a strong contingent of visiting fans.

Spurs reduced the deficit with an excellent 61st minute goal. Between them, Bergvall and Son put pressure on and won the ball with Bergvall making the clever pass with the outside of his foot to Kulusevski who wrong-footed Ulreich and scored with his right foot just inside the goalie's left post.

More substitutions followed, either side of which Bergvall had to leave the field to change a boot and also had a worrying moment when he seemed to be choking. Thankfully, he recovered and was able to continue.

Aznou had a shot go well over following a Bayern free kick. At the other end, following a corner. Van de Ven's shot from distance was well over.

Kimmich played 80 minutes and one of his last contributions was to hit a free kick just outside the post. He was replaced by Kane, who was given a great reception. Kane took the armband, and the two captains embraced before Son went off and was replaced by Lankshear.

Mikey Moore had earlier replaced Kulusevski and after receiving from Bentancur Mikey hit a right-footed shot which was a comfortable hold for the keeper.

Had Spurs managed an equaliser we would have had a penalty shoot-out, but the visitors were presented with The Visit Malta Trophy. I understand that Harry Kane refused the opportunity to hold the trophy aloft. Harry did take the opportunity to walk all the way around the stadium to say his formal farewell to his adoring fans.

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