LONDON, OCT 02,
Tottenham Hotspur suffered their heaviest home defeat in Europe as Serge Gnabry struck four goals for Bayern Munich in a 7-2 romp to seize control of Champions League Group B on October 1.
Master marksman Robert Lewandowski also scored twice as Bayern responded to going behind early on in devastating fashion, running riot on a rain-lashed night in north London. When Son Heung-min gave last season’s finalists Tottenham a deserved 12th-minute lead, their magnificent stadium was rocking. But the fragility that has undermined their season so far returned as they capitulated in alarming fashion.It was the first time Tottenham have shipped seven goals at home in any major competition and they became the first English club to concede seven in Europe since they themselves lost 8-0 to FC Cologne in the now-defunct UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1995. To add insult to injury for Mauricio Pochettino’s shell-shocked side it was a Gnabry, a former Arsenal misfit who managed one goal in a handful of appearances, who was their chief tormentor with a sensational display.
While Tottenham’s season continues to misfire, Niko Kovac’s Bayern appear to be going from strength to strength.
It was not quite the Bavarians’ biggest away win in Europe — they won 7-1 at Roma in 2014 — but to do it against a side who reached last year’s final sent out a powerful message. “It didn’t look like (a) 7-2 (match) after 30 minutes.
We had our problems at the back and (Manuel) Neuer kept us in the game with some class saves,” Kovac told reporters. “After that, we were much better.
We scored at the right time. Getting the second before the break was key.” Pochettino has enjoyed unforgettable European nights as Tottenham manager but this will go down as one of his lowest moments since he took charge in 2014.
“Bayern were clinical and scored with every single touch,” he said.
