Bayern run away with it in Europe

Bayern Munich inflicted our heaviest ever defeat in Europe on a difficult night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

Our Champions League Group B clash had started so well as we made the most of our positive start by taking a 12th-minute lead through Heung-Min Son, only for the visitors to level it up with a fine strike from Joshua Kimmich three minutes later. A thoroughly entertaining half saw great chances for both sides, goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Manuel Neuer helping to keep it at 1-1 with some excellent saves until Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead on the stroke of half-time.

And two quick goals early in the second half saw them double their advantage, Serge Gnabry producing two clinical finishes in the 53rd and 55th minutes. There was brief hope of a comeback when Harry Kane scored his second Champions League goal of the season - and his first at our new stadium - from the penalty spot after Danny Rose was fouled by Kingsley Coman, but Bayern rubber-stamped their victory with three goals in the final seven minutes, Gnabry scoring twice more and Lewandowski also netting again to make the final score 7-2.

It was a special Champions League atmosphere inside the stadium as the game got underway and the football on show more than lived up to the billing in a breathless first half. Just two minutes were on the clock when Lloris stood up strong and parried away Gnabry’s fierce 22-yard drive, while it quickly became a battle of wills between Neuer and Son during a crazy six-minute spell. First, Tanguy Ndombele threaded a superb pass through to the South Korean just inside the area with only Neuer to beat but the Bayern keeper made himself big to deny the striker’s left-foot drive. And Son was in again down the left channel moments later, only to hit Neuer with his cross-shot. But he wasn’t to be denied on 12 minutes as our high pressing game paid dividends, Corentin Tolisso playing the ball out only as far as Moussa Sissoko who immediately released Son, who this time beat Neuer with a right-foot shot into the far corner from 15 yards.

We were only ahead for three minutes though as the visitors hit back, Kimmich controlling a defensive clearance 20 yards out, moving the ball onto his right foot and unleashing a shot which curled away from Lloris and into the net. It was end-to-end stuff with chances coming at regular intervals at both ends. Kane rounded Neuer only to see his goalbound effort cleared off the line by David Alaba, Son and Philippe Coutinho saw efforts at each end saved while Ndombele got on the end of an excellent flowing move but Neuer was there again, making yet another fine stop to maintain parity in the game.

As the half wore on, Bayern slowly started to exert more pressure on us and we were pegged back a little in the final 10 minutes. Then, right before the interval, Bayern took the lead. Serge Aurier headed clear Lewandowski’s cross, Bayern appealed for a penalty as Ndombele challenged Tolisso in the area, those claims were waved away but we failed to clear our lines in the aftermath allowing Lewandowski the opportunity to swivel and hit a low 20-yard drive into the corner.

We started brightly at the start of the second half, Dele Alli having a great sight of goal as he controlled Toby Alderweireld’s superb 50-yard pass but his effort was comfortable for Neuer. And then Bayern took a firm grip of the game with two goals in two minutes through Gnabry. His first came on 53 minutes when he skipped past Aurier down the right flank, surged into the area and, after shaping to shoot once to earn himself more time and space, hit a low right-foot effort past Lloris. Moments later, the visitors won possession deep in our half, Coman laid off to Gnabry and he finished with his other foot this time to put his side 4-1 ahead.

We responded and when Danny Rose was caught by Coman in the area, French referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot and Kane did what he does best, drilling home from 12 yards to reduce the deficit in the 61st minute. That lifted the fans and the players again and our tempo rose a notch as we looked to close the gap further, going close when substitute Christian Eriksen – on for the excellent Ndombele – saw his long-ranger tipped over by Neuer.

Unfortunately though, the game slipped away quickly in the closing minutes. Gnabry completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, a neat side-foot finish gave Lewandowski his second three minutes from time and Gnabry added Bayern’s seventh goal a minute later. It was a very tough defeat to take, particularly after it had all started so well.

Key moment

As the first half drew to a close and the score was 1-1, it was all so positive as we had played well and probably should have gone in ahead at the interval. But, not for the first time this season, we conceded just before half-time and it was a pivotal moment. It was an excellent finish from Lewandowski, but it meant we started the second half chasing the game and Bayern took full advantage.

Mauricio's view

Mauricio Pochettino reflected: "We started really well. After 30 minutes, no-one expected that. The first half was very good. They were very clinical in front of goal, every time they arrived, they scored. The feeling is so bad, but we need to stay all together, to be strong all together and move on."

Reaction on Spurs TV

Match data

Goals: Spurs – Son 12, Kane 61 (pen); Bayern – Kimmich 15, Lewandowski 45, 87; Gnabry 53, 55, 83, 88.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Ndombele, Kane; Bayern - Gnabry.

Referee: Clement Turpin (France).

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.

Weather: Heavy showers, moderate breeze, 14 degrees.

Attendance: 60,127.