Bayern Munich vs Tottenham: Jose Mourinho leaning on time to fix Spurs after Champions League reality check

Ryan Sessegnon has brought Spurs level in the first half but the German champions eventually ran out comfortable winners

The positive slant for Jose Mourinho is that he has a fair amount of time before the Champions League knockout stage swings around to “develop principles” at Tottenham and assemble his “perfect puzzle.”

The manager declined to reveal any negatives after Spurs were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, insisting any rash conclusions would be “unfair.”

The final Group B game on Wednesday night was meaningless given both teams had already secured passage to the competition’s last 16, which gave credence to his assertion, as did the absence of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Serge Aurier and Jan Vertonghen in the matchday 18.

Bayern so comfortably monopolised the ball, motioning past markers as though they were mere training cones before having shooting practice at goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, which will have prompted great concern for Mourinho.

Even in a game that didn’t matter, the hosts swaggered as European royalty can do, while it was easy to forget on Wednesday night that Tottenham were losing finalists just six months ago.

They have several weak spots, meaning the squad refresh that Mauricio Pochettino had constantly pushed for, but was never properly afforded before his axing, will also be a priority for his successor.

Taking over a team mid-season can be one of football’s thankless tasks and Mourinho is at the juncture where he has to learn about his players at settings that can be as unforgiving as the Allianz.

“It was important to collect some information, information you normally collect in the season or in pre-season,” he reminded post-match. “I just arrived and I need information. I took lots on players that is going to influence my decisions in the future.

“It was a very difficult situation. It was play and prepare a game where you put more emphasis on the players who rest than the players who play and the result that you are fighting for. That is very difficult.

“I try to hide that feeling from the players but the players are intelligent guys and they understand clearly my focus was not on today. My focus was on what next.”

High on the agenda for Mourinho is stabilising a defence that has conceded 11 goals in his six games in charge. Bayern could have ensured that number was a lot more unflattering, but for a combination of the woodwork, Gazzaniga’s saves and some unexplainable misses.

Jose Mourinho applauds the Tottenham away fans (REUTERS) (Reuters)

Spurs have contained more verve in attack, led by a rejuvenated Delli Alli, scoring 17 goals under their new manager and if they can get their balance right – with an emphasis on greater protection in midfield – they can emerge as testing opponents in Europe.

Tottenham are in a pool containing Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Lyon, Napoli and Real Madrid as the second-placed sides to progress.

In Monday’s draw, they will be pitted against one of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Barcelona, RB Leipzig or Valencia.

“I think the teams that finished first will wish they don’t play against us,” Mourinho said.

“We are one of the strongest teams from the second group. I know we are a country that goes through a crazy festive period which many, many times leaves marks on players and teams and conditions, but by the end of February I will understand my players better, they will understand me better.

“We have two more months of work together. I think we will be much more ready.”

Mourinho revealed he desires a return to Bayern in the latter phase of the tournament for “a proper match”. While he has a new scope of problems to amend at Spurs under a restrictive structure that will be alien to him, he retains his old hobby of wanting to settle scores.