As it was in South Korea so Saturday's match between Spurs and Bayern Munich was a match of two halves, whether that was each half of the pitch or each half of the game.
It was a game in which Tottenham looked like a team still introducing, or re-introducing, parts of the Ange Postecoglou puzzle into use. The late return of key defenders in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and a big midfielder in Rodrigo Bentancur, the long injury recoveries of Destiny Udogie and Richarlison, plus the lengthy pursuit of Dominic Solanke with more transfers to come lends itself to a different slant to next season.
In the previous campaign, Spurs started like a freight train and then faded as injuries took hold. This time they might take a while to get going but should have added quality and numbers to maintain their eventual momentum.
Postecoglou will also benefit from his players knowing his ways now. Van de Ven only got one training session before playing his first Premier League game last summer for Spurs. This time around having two weeks of training and 45 minutes of a friendly against top opposition as well as his Postecoglou foundations will leave him plenty of time to be prepared for the game at the King Power Stadium.
For the likes of the Dutchman, Romero and Bentancur, they were only playing around three weeks ago and you can't lose that much sharpness or fitness in that time, as shown by all three's displays against Bayern. Bentancur in particular look sharper than he has in a long time since his injury-hit time out.
"Our training is pretty good in terms of getting people up to speed. It is a Monday night game [at Leicester] so we have a couple of extra days for us. I think the 45 minutes today will be good for them and we will do some good work with them over the next 10 days," said Postecoglou.
"Destiny has already been training a bit longer than that. We've kind of protected him from games, but only because he'd been out for a while but he has been training a little bit longer than the other guys. The guys who came back this week from international duty, it's a matter of trying to get them up to speed.
"They've all come back in good condition, which helps, but I think getting them 45 minutes today, against a really good opponent, I think they'll feel better about that and we'll use it next week, those 10 days, to gauge how ready they are. But again, I see no reason if they get through our training week that they wouldn't be ready."
The difference between the two halves was clear. In the first 45 minutes with just one member of the usual back four, Spurs looked vulnerable and Bayern duly scored three goals, two from those dreaded set pieces.
In the second half, with three of the regular back four in place and an impressive Archie Gray performance at right-back, the German giants could not find a way through, even with the returning Harry Kane in the final 10 minutes.
Dejan Kulusevski's opening goal just 24 seconds in had promised a different afternoon, the Swede making it all himself with an interception in the centre of the pitch before seizing on another mistake as the ball bounced his way in the Bayern box.
Spurs' makeshift back four were in a generous mood though. A deep swung in free-kick found two Bayern players free at the back post and Mathys Tel headed it back across goal. Guglielmo Vicario saved his header well but the ball fell for Dayot Upamencano, who had wrestled away from Brennan Johnson, leaving him on the floor, to tap home.
The second goal was a mix-up between Vicario and Yves Bissouma, similar to the first goal Spurs conceded in Korea, with Bissouma this time rather than Djed Spence, closed down quickly and unable to spin the ball out to the flank. After a bit of penalty box pinball the ball fell for Serge Gnabry to bury an excellent low shot inside the left-hand post.
It was a well-timed reminder that both the keeper's pass and the midfielder need to be quicker if the press is going to be beaten.
The third goal was another set piece horror show. The Spurs players were set and ready for a direct free-kick but instead it was lofted in. With plenty in the wall, Kulusevski was subsequently left marking two players and managed to miss both of them, allowing Thomas Muller to head home from close range unbothered.
Spurs were better in the second half with their strengthened defence and some of the underperforming senior players from the opening period removed.
Lucas Bergvall intercepted a pass, touched it to Son Heung-min who played it back into his path, and the young Swede picked out his compatriot Kulusevski and his 'big brother' - as he labelled him to football.london - clinically tucked it into the corner.
It was the teenager's first assist at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and it will not be his last. Bergvall's pressing, touch, movement and that weighted pass showed why he's adjusting far quicker than many thought he would to life at Tottenham. It was also another pre-season game in which the 18-year-old looked far more effective than his vice-captain James Maddison, almost a decade older.
Maddison's best moments were a quick, clever free-kick to Kulusevski in the first half, leading to a saved shot and one effort from distance himself which flew just past the right-hand post. He came off at half-time alongside Yves Bissouma, who had also started the match well only to fade as the half wore on. The Mali international is worryingly yet to play more than 45 minutes in pre-season.
At one point it looked like Bergvall might have to come off early. He suddenly fell on to all fours, struggling to breathe and looked to be either trying to be sick or was seriously winded as his team-mates called for help from the medical staff.
Eventually whatever it was passed with plenty of coughing and liquid taken in and Postecoglou told football.london afterwards: "I'm not really sure. He said he was struggling to breathe and we had to sort of find out whether he swallowed something. I think it was nothing serious. He was alright."
Bergvall was more than alright and it will have done him and Gray the world of good in front of the big crowd in that massive home stadium.
"I thought it was positive, it was something tangible for us as a positive that they've had that run-out now and they know what it feels like and playing in a full stadium," Postecoglou told football.london.
"So, I think they both had their moments in there as well and look, they're going to be good players for us, no doubt and the more exposure we give them, the more we'll help them develop."
Solanke, Kane and Kulusevski
The day itself was all about two-and-a-half strikers. Kulusevski was the half, once again showing his ability as the false nine and he's been Spurs' sharpest player of pre-season by a long way.
Postecoglou admitted afterwards that the Swede will not be needed again as a number nine with the arrival of Dominic Solanke and the return from injury of Richarlison, although it's surely likely he will be called upon at some point in the role as a tactical switch, even if only mid-game.
"No, I don’t think so. The good thing about Deki is that he can play that attacking midfield. I think the reason for us why we signed Dom, and hopefully Richy should be ready as well, is that we want to have a player through that area who is a bit more accustomed to that role," said the Spurs boss.
"Deki has done a great job for us but I think his strengths and attributes are more in that attacking midfield or wide role. I think he is really developing and has had a really good pre-season for us and hopefully it gives us some more flexibility and potency through the middle when he is playing because he can get into those scoring areas."
Solanke was unveiled before kick-off with Gray and Bergvall. The 26-year-old striker's signing is an important one for Postecoglou.
He told football.london in Japan that he was waiting for his original targets and they were still in play in the market.
Solanke was one of them, for the Australian believes he's perfect for his system. Just watch the forward's 21 goals last season and you'll see why as many were chances that will arise with the Australian's attacking plays, not to mention his ability to press high up the pitch, link up play and turnover the ball in his team's favour in the final third.
There were plenty of times on Saturday when Tottenham needed a focal point as an outlet when Bayern were pushing them back and the former Bournemouth striker will provide that as well as goals aplenty in this set-up.
Bournemouth wanted to hold on to Solanke, desperately trying to all summer and eventually it took a £65million deal, with £55million as the basic fee and another £10million in add-ons to prise him away as no team was likely to pay the £65million in full to trigger the actual release clause.
"He was obviously one I was very keen to get in. It took a while to get it over the line but I think he will be a great fit for us in terms of the player he is and the point of his career where he is at," said Postecoglou.
"I think he will be a good fit. As I said, we are a bit light in that front third in terms of adding quality not just to the squad but also to our team. He certainly does that. Pleased to get him on board and we have a week and a bit to work with him.
"We identified him because he has the attributes we are looking for in terms of our position. He gives us some things we probably have been missing in the last 12 months, particularly when Richarlison was out last year.
"When Richy played he was very effective for us, it was quite evident when he was out we didn't really have a player who can make the impact Dom can in the final third and just with his general play. So I think he will be a good fit for us."
The Spurs boss added: "We have got him at a really good time in his career. He has had to work his way back up which I always think is a good thing. Sometimes when careers go smoothly you wonder how people will handle setbacks but he had setbacks earlier in his career.
"He has fought his way back and has become a really good Premier League striker now. He is really keen to push on. He wants to improve and make an impact. I think it’s a great time for us to bring him in."
When told that Solanke could be seen to say "wow" as he looked around the stadium at the sell-out 62,000-plus crowd during his unveiling, Postecoglou admitted that once again it was key to have a player who was excited to come to Spurs.
"Yeah I think it’s important," he said. "Players certainly have options out there and you want to understand the motivations for why a player would want to come to us. Since I spoke to him I got a real sense he had a really burning desire to take his football to another level and really challenge himself at a big club. He is keen to make an impact and our job is to make sure we provide that platform for him.
"[He's been on my radar] a fair while, but again, you kind of look at players who've had interesting journeys and with some players, things happen really early in their careers and they go really well, but then there's inevitable stumbles along the way and you want to see how they react.
"But Dom had a very bright start to his career and he was at big clubs, which every player aspires to, but for one reason or another, it didn't work out for him, but the fact that he's got himself back to this position where he's again one of the premier strikers in the Premier League, it's a testament to his character and he's only 26, about to turn 27, so I think probably because of those early challenges he had, I think he's going try to push and have really strong and impactful, meaningful years from now on."
When asked whether Solanke will be fit to start at Leicester next Monday, Postecoglou said: "Yeah, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be. He's played most of the pre-season. Slight knock in the last game Bournemouth played, but, of course, we'll have a look at him during the week. But I think that considering he's done most of the pre-season, I see no reason why he wouldn't be available."
Something else that's worth noting about Solanke is his character. You will struggle to find anyone who has a bad word to say about the Basingstoke-born striker and while he was desperate to join Spurs, the classy way he went about it with Bournemouth left the perfect last impression on his old club.
Just look at the tributes from the club's chief executive Neill Blake, who lavished him with praise for his character and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola added on Saturday: "His behaviour with us has been amazing. He is a top, top professional and a top player. He deserves the best, because he is the player you want, professionally and also personally. He has given us everything he has. We will be cheering for him."
Even Solanke's farewell to the Cherries' fans was met with total affection rather than the social media bitterness that often follows big exits. The supporters and his team-mates only admitted that he deserved the chance to perform at a higher level and had brought purely good things to them over the years.
"I feel delighted. Obviously it's a magnificent club, a huge club with ambitions that match mine, so I'm delighted to start, meet all the boys and I can't wait to get started," Solanke said in his first Spurs interview.
"What excites me most about the club is how ambitious it is. Obviously a huge club with great ambitions that I want to be part of as well and it's a great manager, great players and I feel like it definitely suits my style of play as well so I can't wait to get started and do my stuff on the pitch."
He added: "I think the club has great depth throughout the whole squad, attacking options are great as well and that's what a top club needs. I'm really looking forward to playing with them, competing with them and hopefully we can achieve great things.
"I think me as a player I am ambitious on the pitch, I work hard for the team, score goals, leave it all out there and I love winning so hopefully we can win a few things together. That's what I'm going to bring that fighting spirit.
"I've had quite a journey in football, everyone's journey is different, but I wouldn't change it as I've had a lot of ups and downs as well and I think that's made me who I am today on and off the pitch. I'm grateful for everything really and hopefully I can carry on my form.
"I'm improving all the time, at the moment I am full of confidence and I feel like my game has improved a lot. I'm at that point in my career where it's all starting to come together and I think that was the start of last season.
"The season is not that far away and I'm sure that the boys will make me feel welcome and we can learn [from} each other very quickly, but, like I mentioned earlier, the style of play definitely suits me as well and I'm looking forward to gelling with everyone.
"I would say my attributes are movement, goals, work hard, link-up play and hopefully I can bring all that together for Tottenham."
Solanke's inclusion at the King Power Stadium could see Brennan Johnson drop to the bench after another quiet pre-season display. Tottenham need their new striker up front and Kulusevski and Son have looked sharp this summer.
There was something fitting about Spurs finally signing a big new striker on the day they properly said thanks for everything to Harry Kane. Solanke is not an exact replacement for Kane - nobody is - but he's going to score a lot of goals in Postecoglou's system.
It was always said that it would need two people to replace what Kane brought to Spurs and maybe that's Maddison and Solanke, or eventually Bergvall and Solanke, with others vying for both roles. It's something the club needed to plan for years ago, but at least it's hopefully finally happening.
Kane himself believes that his old club Tottenham have signed themselves a top striker.
"He should be great. Dom is a great player, plays with high intensity, high speed," he said. "For sure he is going to get chances in this team, the way Ange plays and you saw that again with two top teams going toe-to-toe.
"I think it is a really good signing. I saw him in the dressing room there and wished him all the best. I hope he has a great season."
Kane's return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was full of little moments. There was the presentation of a replica of the club's golden cockerel on top of the south stand to him and Eric Dier from Ledley King. Romero and Bentancur grabbed the pair for a hug as they left the pitch following that brief event.
Then there was Kane's introduction in the 80th minute. He looked across and saw 19-year-old Will Lankshear, one for the future, fittingly alongside him on the touchline and ready to come on. He called over and shook the youngster's hand. The teenager would later ask for his shirt on the pitch after the final whistle.
When Kane emerged on to the pitch, the cheers were huge and the entire crowd sang his name just one more time. He hugged Son as the South Korean star came off for Lankshear and it was probably best that Kane did not score from his couple of chances.
After the final whistle he walked around the stadium, applauding the fans and saying the farewell he didn't have the chance to get when he was suddenly gone a year beforehand. There was also a classy moment during the Visit Malta Cup ceremony, when Kane, now wearing the captain's armband, repeatedly refused to go up and lift the trophy.
He knew what it symbolised and how it would look to do so in his old home against his old long trophy-less team, regardless of whether it was a friendly cup or not. Kane will win major trophies with Bayern and he will want Tottenham to do so as well.
"It was strange. Obviously I am so used to coming here as the home player, been here so many times before so it was strange and putting this shirt on, being in the away dressing room, but I like to enjoy these occasions," said the England captain.
"I had an amazing career at Spurs, so many great memories and just great to see the fans again, so many players and staff I have a lot of relationships with. The game itself, I probably shouldn't have been playing. I only trained yesterday but I was always going to play 10 minutes and it was good."
He added: "Everything was really rushed through last year, so we didn’t have a chance [to say goodbye], but it was great way to say thank you to all of them.
"The reception I got was amazing and great to clap them around the pitch after, those who stayed behind, and I will always be thankful for every Spurs fan for the support they’ve given me through my whole career. It’s been incredible and I just appreciate them seeing me and me seeing them again."
New leaders, transfers and homegrown woes
Kane was one of the leadership group of this Tottenham squad, but now he, Hugo Lloris, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Dier have all moved on and it leaves a new group of leaders. One of them, Romero, showed how he will protect this young squad even in the latter stages of a friendly.
Mikey Moore, who will officially sign his first professional contract with the club on Monday, the day after his 17th birthday, had another cameo full of fearless attacking play and when he was caught by a rough challenge from Joao Palhinha late on, so his academy team-mate Lankshear steamed in and took out the former Fulham man with a late challenge of his own.
As Kingsley Coman squared up to Moore and Lankshear, Romero steamed up the pitch and pushed the 28-year-old away, as did Bentancur. The Frenchman backpedalled quickly with the South Americans' message clear.
Spurs have a whole bunch of talented youngsters now and the older players will have to stick up for them and guide them. The trust is there, even among those who have spent just a couple of days with them.
For example, Archie Gray displayed plenty of the composure and skill that will lead to him becoming a star for Tottenham and both Romero and Bentancur fully trusted him, giving him the ball as much as possible during the second half.
The same went for Bergvall and this Spurs squad know they have two stars in the making in the teenage newcomers, alongside the youngsters coming through.
Postecoglou will want more experienced new help though, similar to Solanke's arrival as the transfer window's most expensive Premier League signing.
"You know our budget do you mate?" he joked when asked whether the striker signing had depleted the transfer kitty. "Look, we'll see, there's still time in the window and I think there'll still be some activity."
Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon were both left out of the squad, showing their likely exits, as was the Milan-bound Emerson Royal. As with Lo Celso, football.london understands that Dane Scarlett was also not injured which suggests a loan exit for the young striker, following in the footsteps of Alejo Veliz, after his Espanyol switch.
Lankshear has impressed Postecoglou more than both of those two slightly older forwards in both training and matches and that will result in their development continuing elsewhere this season.
Spurs must also be wary of their homegrown and foreign player numbers for the coming campaign and their transfer business will have to bear that in mind, particularly in European competition.
The exits of Emerson, Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele and Bryan Gil mean that Tottenham currently have 16 foreign players for their Premier League squad, one under the maximum 17.
They also have, with Solanke, nine homegrown players over the age of 21 - the minimum required is eight - with Ryan Sessegnon, Joe Rodon, Troy Parrott and Japhet Tanganga having departed.
Clubs can only name squads of 25 in the Premier League, without needing to include U21 players such as Gray, Bergvall, Scarlett and others. Veliz would have counted on that latter list but has now left for Spain.
Should Lo Celso and Reguilon also leave as expected, then Spurs would have three foreign player spots open in their squad, but only two open overall unless a homegrown player is not registered, with three goalkeepers in that category in Fraser Forster, Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman.
So that allows for two more new signings for Postecoglou without the need for further exits when it comes to his Premier League squad.
However, the biggest issue for Tottenham and the Australian will come in the Europa League squad.
That is because UEFA not only count young players who have not been at the club for more than three years in the main lists rather than the B one, but also because they require a certain number of club-trained players.
With the expected exit of Emerson, Spurs currently have the maximum 17 foreign players - labelled non-locally trained by UEFA - in their squad, including Bergvall, plus eight association trained players, including Gray and Solanke as well as the returning Djed Spence. They only however have three club-trained players aged over 21 in Austin, Whiteman and Oliver Skipp.
UEFA's rules state that no club can have more than 25 players on their A List during the season, of whom at least two must be goalkeepers. The rules then say that "as a minimum, eight of those 25 places are reserved exclusively for locally trained players and no club may have more than four association-trained players listed among those eight places".
So that means the other four of those association trained players would have to be either registered instead of foreign players or simply left out of the European squad.
Lo Celso and Reguilon leaving would open up two spots in the non-locally trained group, while centre-back Ashley Phillips could depart on loan again from the association-trained section.
That still leaves one more association-trained player left to fit in, but there's another problem because Spurs have to either name four club-trained players, leave a vacant spot for one as they only have three or name a young academy player who would have been on the B list anyway.
That's why links to former Tottenham academy players like Marcus Edwards and Kyle Walker-Peters have been there this summer.
So all of that technically still makes it two players needing to be left out and that's before even contemplating signing anyone else. Are you still with us?
That need to create space could put Manor Solomon's immediate future in jeopardy with the Israel international struggling to make an impact this summer following 10 months out with his knee problems. It also causes issues of a different kind for Oliver Skipp, who desperately needs regular football but is Spurs' only club-trained outfield player over the age of 21.
So Postecoglou, who likely needs at least another new midfielder/winger and central defender before the window closes, will have big decisions to make when it comes to his European squad.
Either the Australian simply brings in new signings to the club, takes the consequences and tells some players they will not be registered for the Europa League or there will be one or two unexpected senior exits from the club in the coming month.
The choice is down to Postecoglou and whether the transfer window unfolds in his favour will be crucial.
