Presser points | FC Bayern vs Spurs | Ange Postecoglou and Ben Davies
Fri 02 August 2024, 15:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou and Ben Davies faced the media on Friday ahead of our pre-season match against FC Bayern on Saturday (12noon UK).
Speaking at a press conference at the IFC Mall in the Korean capital of Seoul, Ange and Ben answered questions from the local and international media as we looked ahead to the second of our Coupang Play Series fixtures.
Here's what the duo had to say...
The pair were first asked for their thoughts ahead of the game with FC Bayern.
Ange said: "We're looking forward to it. We've had a good trip. The boys have worked hard since we've been here. We had a good game the other night and we're looking forward to finishing it off in a positive manner against Bayern tomorrow night. And hopefully it's another good game for all of the supporters to watch."
Ben said: "I think it's going to be a very good test against one of the best sides in Europe but these are the teams we are wanting to match ourselves up against if we want to get better. It's great being out here in Seoul and playing in front of the amazing fans we have here."
Ange Postecoglou was then asked about the impact of the Seoul climate on our preparations.
Our Head Coach said: "It is a challenge this time of the year. I experienced it myself working in Japan but, at the same time, I think its a good challenge for the players mentally as much as anything else to adjust to the conditions, to still work hard, to still try and play our football in the practice games we've had. At times, it has been really difficult bu they've pushed through. i think we'll really get the benefits of that when we get back to London. They're having a heatwave there now and its 24 degrees so my boys will be pretty relaxed about that and I think, mentally, we'll come out of this stronger knowing that, in tough conditions, they still managed to work hard and the games have shown we can still perform at a good level.
Ben was then asked about Seoul and how it has changed over the years from our previous visits.
The defender said: "When you come to Seoul and you see the reaction of the fans, how much support they bring to the team, it's very humbling and makes you incredibly grateful for the support we get all around the world, but especially here in Korea. Our biggest interaction is usually just with the fans in the stadium but for us to come here and realise what we also get away from the pitch, it's incredible. We're very grateful every time we come here.
Our number 33 was then asked about the changes to the squad since the 2019 Champions League Final, with him and Heung-Min Son, plus Oliver Skipp and Alfie Whiteman, the only players that remain at the Club.
Ben: "Squads change all the time in football but at the beginning of every season, you feel very optimistic that you can do something special going forward and this year, we've been training hard now for a couple of weeks but you can see the quality we have. You see the young guys, the energy that they can bring to the team and we feel very confident as a group this year."
