Gnabry scores four as Bayern batter Spurs 7-2
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Serge Gnabry scored four second-half goals as Bayern Munich embarrassed Tottenham 7-2 in the Champions League yesterday — the biggest-ever margin of defeat suffered by an English team at home in any European competition.
The Bundesliga champions fell behind to an early Son Heung-min goal, but then clicked into gear, producing a ruthless display of finishing in the north London rain as Spurs fell apart.
Harry Kane briefly gave the home side hope with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 4-2, but that was merely the prelude to another master class in finishing from the five-time European champions.
“It was a great evening for Bayern Munich and for German football,” said Bayern boss Niko Kovac. “Playing this way here in England is really unique.”
Spurs, who reached the Champions League final in June before losing to Liverpool, also had a sluggish start to the competition last year, winning a single point from their first three games.
But Pochettino faces a huge task now to lift the team after this humbling at their new ground following an unconvincing start to the season.
The Spurs boss urged his side to stay together, despite the traumatic defeat, saying the timing of Bayern’s second goal just before half-time was a hard blow.
“The most important thing is to stay calm, no rushed analysis, no rushed judgement, no rushed assessment,” he said, praising the clinical finishing of Bayern, who had 11 shots on target.
The early exchanges gave no clue about the carnage to come.
Tottenham’s deserved early lead was wiped out 194 seconds later by Joshua Kimmich, but the home side went toe to toe with Bayern for most of the first period.
Bayern forged ahead on the stroke of half-time, though, thanks to a superb finish from Robert Lewandowski, who picked up the loose ball at the edge of the area and swivelled to fire into the bottom corner.