The second fixture of our pre-season tour – and our final match in Australia – saw the Blues face off against a familiar opponent in the shape of Spurs. There was little indication that the game was a friendly in the opening exchanges, with several full-blooded challenges produced.
Tottenham broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, when a deflected effort from Sandro Tonali found the net. But Alonso’s side quickly responded as Estevao Willian headed home at the back post from a Jamie Gittens cross.
In the second period, Tottenham defender Kevin Danso was shown a straight red card for bringing down Joao Pedro, and that changed the pattern of the game.
The Blues had several chances, but were consistently denied by Antonin Kinsky in the Spurs goal. And, in the final minute of the game and with the Blues having made several changes, Tottenham grabbed a late winner through Richarlison.
‘It was an intense competitive game, for sure,’ reflected Alonso. ‘We wanted to win and to lose is not something we like, but it’s a pre-season game and we have missed a few chances.
‘In the first half, it was very competitive, really even, and in the second half we were close to scoring that [winning goal]. But it was a good pre-season game, great crowd and atmosphere, and we were unlucky to concede that late goal to lose.
‘In any game you think you can do better, but it is part of the process: to learn the things we can do better, the things we have done well, and the place we are now.
'It’s normal we have these moments. But the result is not the most important thing now; it’s the performance, it’s 75 minutes for many players, which was the plan and we respect that.’
The game at Accor Stadium wrapped up our time in Australia – the Blues will depart tomorrow for Hong Kong – and Alonso was appreciative of the support we have received down under.
‘It’s been fantastic,' he said. 'To have 80,000 people in this stadium, and to have a proper atmosphere and this electrifying noise, was top today.
‘We are thankful for the welcome and great support we have had during this week. Hopefully, we will come again in the next years and revisit, but we appreciate the support.’