Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 (6-5 on pens) Bayern Munich
Tottehnham Hotspur have picked up some silverware under Mauricio Pochettino, albeit in a pre-season tournament. Spurs claimed the Audi Cup after a 6-5 penalty shootout win over hosts Bayern Munich.
Bayern battled back from a two-goal second-half deficit, but Spurs were able to hold their nerve from the penalty spot to win the title.
Most Audi Cup 2019 predictions likely picked Bayern to win the tournament in front of their home fans, especially after their 6-1 demolition of Fenerbahce in the semis.
But with a number of key absentees, they did not seem particularly interested in going all out for the win, especially with a much bigger match coming up at the weekend.
Highlights of the game
With such a quick turn around after their previous matches, both Tottenham and Bayern made significant changes to the sides which won in the semi-finals.
Bayern did not feature their top three forwards — Robert Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry — while Spurs had both Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min on the bench.
But despite starting without their main man, Spurs took the lead on 19 minutes through Erik Lamela. Georges-Kevin Nkoudou made a strong run on the left wing and slid in a beautiful ball, which Lamela was able to poke home at the far post.
Sarpreet Singh then had a couple of long-range attempts from Bayern. His first effort sailed harmlessly over the bar. But his second, which came on 42 minutes, was much closer. Although it went just wide, it sent Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris scrambling to his left.
Son Heung-Min came on at half-time and also got a couple of shots up. Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich made a hash of saving Son’s first shot but was able to smother it eventually.
But Son really should have scored with his second opportunity of the match, which came shortly after his first. After a lovely ball from Kane, Son evaded the challenge of Benjamin Pavard and was one-on-one with Ulreich, but the Bayern keeper pulled off a terrific stop to deny the South Korean.
However, Tottenham would double their lead just moments later. Christian Eriksen found himself in a somewhat similar position to Son, but he was able to send his right-footed strike right into the bottom corner.
Bayern now had a big hole to climb out of, but it didn’t take them long to pull one back. In fact, it took all of two minutes. Alphonso Davies’ deft touch sent Jann-Fiete Arp through on goal, and the young striker — who has been compared to Harry Kane — scored his first Bayern goal despite pressure from Toby Alderweireld.
Kane came close to restoring Spurs’ two-goal advantage. He unleashed a thunderous strike from just outside the six-yard box, which Ulreich was able to get a strong forearm to.
But Bayern would eventually get their equaliser on 81 minutes through Davies. The young Canadian confidently lined up a shot at the edge of the box and curled it past the diving Paulo Gazzaniga. Without a doubt, that goal is right up there among the top Audi Cup 2019 highlights.
Eriksen had one last chance to get a dramatic Spurs winner, but he couldn’t quite get the curl on his shot that Davies did. So it was off to penalties.
After Toby Alderweireld scored the first penalty, Bayern’s David Alaba and Eriksen both had their penalties saved. Eriksen tried to go straight down the middle, but Ulreich stood tall and saved with his left hand.
The next 10 penalty takers would all convert, which led to sudden death. Jerome Boateng stepped up as the seventh penalty taker for Bayern, but the captain had his penalty saved to hand Spurs the cup.
Key statistics
Bayern had most of possession over Spurs, 57 per cent to 43. They also outshot the English side, 16-11. However, Bayern were unable to get many shots on target; only three of their 16 shots were headed toward goal.
Sarpreet Singh, the 20-year-old Kiwi, was one of Bayern’s standout performers as he had a team-high four shots. Young Alphonso Davies also impressed as he had a hand in both goals.
Bayern have now failed to win the Audi Cup for the past two editions, the first time that has happened since the tournament’s inception in 2009.
What’s next?
Niko Kovac and Bayern don’t have much time to rest after this tournament. They must now begin preparations for their DFP Supercup matchup against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. SBOBET tips that to be another cracking match between the two rivals.
They then have to play a DFB Pokal match against Energie Cottbus before beginning their Bundesliga season against Hertha Berlin on the 17th.
As for Tottenham, they still have to finish off their International Champions Cup campaign. Their final match will be against Inter Milan on Sunday at their home stadium.
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