BEHIND THE SCENES: Bayern’s post-match banquet sees star man Serge Gnabry reluctantly accept standing ovation from players and staff as Bundesliga giants celebrate historic 7-2 victory against Tottenham in London
While Serge Gnabry took centre stage at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night as Bayern ran out 7-2 winners, the German wanted to keep a low profile at the celebratory banquet.
A video from Bayern TV showed the celebrations at the team’s hotel in London where Gnabry is given a standing ovation as he enters the room.
He looks sheepish as he goes to sit down next to team-mate David Alaba, who is poking fun at how shy Gnabry is in front of fellow players, board members and supporters.
Gnabry was told to be the last person to enter the room so he could be given the standing ovation by everyone inside the hall.
For a player who is extroverted and confident on the pitch and on Instagram, he appeared to be overcome with nerves walking in solo.
Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge led the cheers for the former Arsenal youngster as photographers swarmed around the matchwinner.
‘I would like to congratulate the coaching team with Niko,’ Rummenigge said, addressing the room.
‘That was unbelievable what we experienced. We’re down 1-0 down here, as they say here in England, and then played an incredible game. We won 7-2 against a team that reached the Champions League final last year.
‘We often have the comparisons between Bundesliga and Premier League. And today, at least we at Bayern Munich have proven on a lasting basis that we are perfectly capable of defeating a top-class Premier League team.’
The German media waxed lyrical about the performance and Gnabry in particular, with BILD referring to him as ‘Grenade Gnabry’.
He netted 13 times in 42 games last season and is determined to show an improvement on his goal return this season.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: ‘Four goals in one half – that’s a huge achievement. We have confidence. The boy is developing well.’
