MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 15:30:57| >> :60:3291:3291:
[monks data]
Attendance: 60,127
Spurs logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 1, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Bayern logo

2-7

Heung-min (12'), Kane (61' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-2)
Kimmich (15'), Lewandowski (45', 87'), Gnabry (53', 55', 83', 88')

Niko Kovac praises Spurs' development under Mauricio Pochettino

Niko Kovac praises Spurs' development under Mauricio Pochettino
© Reuters
Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac hails Tottenham progress under Mauricio Pochettino

Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac believes Tottenham's development under Mauricio Pochettino has made them a "positive light" of European football.

The Bundesliga champions are in London for Tuesday's Champions League Group B clash with Spurs and Kovac is impressed with the Premier League side.

Pochettino has turned them from Europa League also-rans into European Cup finalists and that has not gone unnoticed by the Croatian, who admits coming to watch a Spurs game three years ago.

"It is a very, very positive development," the Croatian said. "In 2016 I was here and they were in the old stadium, I was here to watch Tottenham against Swansea, the flair was different, the stadium was smaller, but the atmosphere was strong.

"You can see what it means when you have a good coach, a good manager.

"In my opinion Tottenham have a very positive light in European football, they are now able to compete with the very big teams, even if it didn't look that way seven or eight years ago.

"They have continuity, he was given time and he has done a great job and that is an example for others.

"It is definitely going to be a game with level footing, when you look at the players from both teams they are all world class from different countries."

Bayern won the opening game of their group against Red Star Belgrade while Spurs drew 2-2 in Olympiacos.

And Kovac reckons that puts the pressure on the home side on Tuesday.

"This is what every manager wants to do be successful in the Champions League," he added. "Tomorrow is going to be a top game, two top teams are meeting in a great stadium.

"We want to make sure we collect three points. We know the pressure is on Tottenham, and we want to enjoy it, when we enjoy it usually everything runs smoothly.

"They are going to be playing in their own stadium so they are going to be pushed by their fans.

"They will definitely give it their all from the first minute, they will try and put us under pressure.

"This is what British teams do when they play at home. The football that Tottenham play is very good to watch, it is creative and innovative and it is something we have to handle tomorrow.

"We need the mental and physical resilience and make sure we respond to challenge."

Bayern winger Serge Gnabry is no stranger to north London having played for Arsenal between 2012 and 2016.

That might not lend itself to the greatest reception from home fans, but Gnabry is not concerned what might be coming his way.

"I am motivated in any game that I play in, I just want to win," he said.

"I know the history having played for Arsenal, its in my mind, but either way I'm giving 100 per cent and want to win.

"I am not really bothered about it, yes I played for Arsenal but tomorrow is a new game and I am here with Bayern Munich now and I am just going to give it my best, regardless of the reaction of crowd."

ID:373450: cacheID:373450:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4577:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring with Bayern Munich teammates on September 28, 2019
Read Next:
In Focus: Tottenham's Champions League opponents Bayern Munich
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!