Champions League Classics #5: Tottenham 2-7 Bayern Munich

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASSICS: TOTTENHAM 2-7 BAYERN MUNICH 

Picture Above: Bayern Munich players celebrate their huge victory over Tottenham in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London

1st October 2019

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

Pre-Match:

The previous season, Tottenham had an unforgettable campaign in the Champions League, making the final for the first time in their 137 year history, but suffered final heartbreak into the hands of fellow Premier League side, Liverpool. Bayern's season in the Champions League was a bit disappointing, finishing in the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006. Tottenham started their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Olympiacos in Piraeus while Bayern opened their campaign with a 3-0 win at home against Red Star Belgrade. This would be the first encounter in the Champions League between Bayern and Tottenham, and it would be a game that would go down in history. One that would live long into the memories of both fans.

Match:

Despite having a terrible game, Tottenham had a great start to the game, taking the lead withing 12 minutes. Son-Hueng Min gathered the ball from a pass from Moussa Sissoko and slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer. However, Tottenham's joy would last only a few minutes, as Bayern would instantly find a way back into the game. Joshua Kimmich thumped the ball into the bottom corner of Hugo Lloris's net, as Bayern displayed incredible football during the buildup. After half an hour of prominent attacking from both sides, Bayern Munich found the lead, just moments before the end of the first half. Polish talisman, Robert Lewandowski swivelled around the Tottenham defence and tucked his shot past Hugo Lloris. Bayern would then go into the half holding onto a slim 2-1 lead. The second half however, would be completely different compared to the first 45 minutes. Almost 10 minutes into the second half, and left midfielder, Serge Gnabry, scored a great goal, speeding past the Tottenham defence with ease before slotting the ball past Lloris. Only 2 minutes later, and Gnabry completes his brace to add more pressure towards Tottenham, as his shot hit the right side of the post and into the net. Not to long later, Danny Rose was fouled by Kinglsey Coman on the edge of the Bayern penalty area, and just like that, Tottenham were given a penalty. Harry Kane was able to answer the call for Tottenham and score his penalty to rejuvinate hope into the home side. However, the hope was quenched in the 83rd minute when Gnabry completed his hat-trick, clipping the ball past Lloris and scoring Bayern's fifth of the evening. Bayern wouldn't be done for the evening as only 5 minutes later, Lewandowski completed his brace by scoring an electric finish to make it 6-2. Only 1 minute later, and Gnabry scored again to make it 7-2 to the Bavarians while registering his fourth goal of the evening. The game would soon end in a resounding 7-2 victory for Bayern. This was the first time in Tottenham's history in which they lost by 7 goals at home, as it would go down as Tottenham's biggest defeat in the Champions League. Tottenham would go on to only make the Round of 16, in which they lose to RB Leipzig 4-0 on aggregate. Bayern would go on to win the whole tournament, winning every single game en route to the final in Lisbon. One of their wins included a phenomenal 8-2 victory against Barcelona in the quarter finals. 

Match Roundup:

Tottenham Hotspurs 2-7 Bayern Munich 

S. Hueng Min 12'             J. Kimmich 15'

H. Kane 61' (P)                R. Lewandowski 45', 87'

                                           S. Gnabry 53', 55', 83, 88'

Match Lineups: 

Tottenham (2):                                Bayern Munich (7):

GK: Hugo Lloris (#1, France)                    GK: Manuel Neuer (#1, Germany)

LB: Danny Rose (#3, England)                   LB: David Alaba (#27, Austria)

CB: Jan Vertonghen (#5, Belgium)            CB: Jerome Boateng (#17, Germany)

CB: Toby Aldeweireld (#4, Belgium)         CB: Niklas Sule (#4, Germany)

RB: Serge Aurier (#24, Ivory Coast)         RB: Benjamin Pavard (#5, France)

CDM: Harry Winks (#8, England)            CDM: Corentin Tolisso (#24, France)

CM: Moussa Sissoko (#17, France)           CDM: Joshua Kimmich (#32, Germany)

CM: Tanguy Ndombele (#28, France)       LM: Serge Gnabry (#22, Germany)

CAM: Dele Alli (#20, England)                  CAM: Philippe Coutinho (#10, Brazil)

ST: Hueng Min Son (#7, South Korea)      RM: Kingsley Coman (#29, France)

ST: Harry Kane (#10, England)                 ST: Robert Lewandowski (#9, Poland)