Tottenham Hotspur 2-7 Bayern Munich: 5 Hits and Flops from the game | Champions League 2019-20 

Tottenham Hotspur v Bayern Muenchen: Group B - UEFA Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur v Bayern Muenchen: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Bayern Munich were in seventh heaven in their second Group B encounter, as they trounced Tottenham Hotspur 7-2 in their own backyard.

A stunning quadruple from former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry, accompanied by a fine brace from Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich's opener romped the Bavarians to all three points on an evening where they were responsive, relentless and remarkable.

The loss for Mauricio Pochettino's men meant that this is now the biggest-ever margin of defeat by an English team at home in any European competition. Also to add, in their illustrious 137-year history, Spurs have never conceded seven goals at home.

The result pushed the hosts to third place in Group B, behind Red Star Belgrade and the German champions - who are now five points ahead of the north Londoners.

The game was won and lost through tactical errors, clinical finishing and a few impressive performances. Here, we look at three who impressed and two who didn't, as Bayern surged to a 7-2 victory.


#5 Hit: Robert Lewandowski

Another day, another dominant display with the goals from Robert Lewandowski
Another day, another dominant display with the goals from Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski just cannot stop scoring. Arguably Bayern's most important asset at present, the Polish marksman is coming of age and proving the bill week after week. Initially though, it was always going to be a litmus test against Spurs away from home, but Lewandowski inspired his side to another victory.

With 13 goals already to his name, it's safe to say that he'll hit the 25-goal mark in all competitions this season.

The sharpshooter was unforgiving, as he occupied key positions in the box and aided the build-up play with his movements with the ball. Lewandowski was always willing to make the run inside or between Spurs' centre-halves, but what caught the eye most was the way he scored his goals - with conviction, precision and ruthlessness.

The turn inside the box for the first one was nothing short of spectacular, while his electric finish for the second just summed up his evening.

#4 Flop: Kingsley Coman

Kingsley Coman didn't quite influence proceedings
Kingsley Coman didn't quite influence proceedings

On an evening where Bayern - especially in the second half - experienced a feast at Tottenham's expense, one player who probably didn't join the party was Kingsley Coman.

Right from the start of the game, he was slow while tracking back and often found in nonthreatening positions down the wings. While there was more sideways passing from his end despite the second-half obliteration, he was just never involved in the flow of proceedings.

Consequentially, Coman didn't produce as many take-ons as he usually does, failed to spark attacks or supply to the forwards in the box. Much to his frustration, he was dispossessed a few times as well.

Given the fact that the opposition back line was tactically and mentally shredded, Coman could have taken advantage and been more incisive with his running.

A mere 14 touches in the second half meant that he'd be subbed out for summer signing Ivan Perisic in the 70th minute.

#3 Hit: Serge Gnabry

Serge Gnabry was unstoppable on the night
Serge Gnabry was unstoppable on the night

There's the man of the moment.

Once a West Bromwich Albion reject, Serge Gnabry lit up the stage in the Champions League with not one, two or three, but four well-taken goals, with each of them oozing prominence and quality.

His speed, change of direction and precision were all praiseworthy, but the finishing aspect of the winger's game last evening was as sharp as an arrow. Right from the outset, Gnabry was picking up the pieces in the middle, passing it around with purpose and running at Spurs' back line.

His opening goal left a lot of people including Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld, flummoxed. In the blink of an eye, the 24-year-old beat the challenge of a hapless Serge Aurier and charged down the turf. He then comfortably beat Alderweireld, before finding the bottom corner without any fuss.

Two minutes later, he made an excellent run and placed another effort past Lloris. The same willingness and sharpness to pocket free spaces of the pitch handed him his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, before a fourth added salt to the opposition's wounds.

#2 Flop: Serge Aurier

Tottenham Hotspur v Bayern Muenchen: Group B - UEFA Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur v Bayern Muenchen: Group B - UEFA Champions League

One man who'd probably have lost sleep is Serge Aurier. The right-back has paved way for himself in the pecking order by putting in good shifts in the Premier League, both up and down the flank.

Here however, he endured an absolute howler up against an in-form Gnabry. He conceded quite a few mistakes, with the most important one being his decision-making.

From the way he timed his challenges to his positioning and attacking display, it was all substandard from the full back.

These mistakes cost you heavy defeats, and Bayern being a world-class opponent, proved why so. More often than not, Aurier was caught napping in the middle of the ground.

He let Gnabry in for his first way too easily, mistiming his challenge and making a mess of it. Twice more, Aurier would miss the run behind his back as the game went on, with the visitors punishing each and every error such as these.

An outing to forget, for sure.

#1 Hit: Thiago Alcantara

Thiago Alcantara proved to be the master of puppets against Spurs
Thiago Alcantara proved to be the master of puppets against Spurs

There were three goalscorers and a host of other commendable displays, but none more than Thiago Alcantara's changed the direction of play.

Introduced in the 46th minute, much to the delight of the traveling supporters, Thiago brought about a sense of calm, composure and cohesion in the middle - a sight not too visible when Josua Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso were being overpowered by a three-man midfield of Tanguy N'Dombele, Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks.

The genius of Thiago helped the Bavarians move the ball about with a bit more safety and creativity, thereby sucking the venom out of Spurs' press.

The Spain international was involved in almost each goal during the build-up, at some time or the other. He illustrated the artistry through the assist for Gnabry's hat-trick goal, with a fine-tuned clipped ball over the top; cushioned towards the winger's path.

All in all, Bayern established a strong foothold in terms of possession through the industry of Thiago at the heart of the pitch.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar