Tottenham Hotspur went into their final round of Champions League Group Stage matches with clarity: a win would guarantee them automatic qualification to the Round of 16, a loss would all but lock in a two-legged playoff, and a draw would take circumstances out of their… feet. The obstacle? An Eintracht Frankfurt side that had conceded more goals in the Bundesliga and the Champions League than any other team.
Spurs had further obstacles to overcome in the shape of player availability, however, with defenders Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven the latest to be added to the ever-growing casualty list. That meant a very limited squad from which Thomas Frank could pick his XI, resulting in five changes from the weekend match against Burnley, four of which were enforced. With Porro and van de Ven both missing with the aforementioned injuries, Yves Bissouma and Conor Gallagher were also unable to be selected as unregistered players, and Frank also opted to rotate Dominic Solanke after two starts in a row following his return from injury. Destiny Udogie, Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, and Randal Kolo Muani were the replacements.
They lined up against Frankfurt’s back three in a structure that seemed like a 4-2-3-1 on paper, but played out more like the 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation, with Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert operating in pseudo-free #10 roles, and Sarr, Palhinha, and Gray operating as a three, with Palhinha often dropping in line with the center backs and Sarr given freedom to get forward. The structure seemingly suited Spurs early as they started rapidly, appearing to open the scoring via Xavi Simons following a brilliant run and deflected cutback from much-maligned Kolo Muani. Celebrations were cut short, however, as a combination of VAR and the on-field referee conspired to overturn the goal. Destiny Udogie appeared to foul a Frankfurt defender in buildup from an offside position, and though it was a soft call, it was probably the technically correct one.
Frankfurt looked to sit deep and counter, ceding possession to Spurs and occasionally interrupting the pattern of play to stretch Spurs in transition, but struggled to find a final ball. Spurs also struggled to finish chances, but in different circumstances as they generated a number of opportunities upon which they could not capitalize. Udogie fluffed a chance from a cross when open in front of goal; Odobert struck the post following a lovely one-two with Simons; and Simons was unable to finish when Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos gave the ball away under pressure. Frankfurt almost made Spurs pay for their profligacy as well, as Hugo Larsson clipped the crossbar following a counter, and Spurs were in the end thankful the half finished 0-0.
Spurs soon opened the scoring following the break. As per usual, it was a set piece routine that provided the breakthrough, as Spurs went short from a deep free kick down the left, creating an angle for Xavi Simons to curl a cross into the box. Cristian Romero was hunting at the back post, and he leapt high to head the ball back across the six-yard box, where Kolo Muani was on hand to flick the ball goalwards with a tidy finish.
Following the goal, Spurs dropped off in their attacking impetus, a shift not unusual in their performances this season, and Frankfurt nearly capitalized. A curling cross into Spurs’ area found wingback Aurelio Buta completely unmarked on the penalty spot, but he seemed to get caught between controlling the ball and immediately flicking the ball at goal, instead miscontrolling his touch straight into the grateful gloves of Guglielmo Vicario.
Thankfully, Spurs’ downturn did not last for long, with Frankfurt unable to maintain their pressure and Spurs raising their intensity. Kolo Muani had a header fizz past the top corner, while another Sarr effort from range was tipped around the post by Kaua. It felt a matter of time until Spurs added another, and that soon came to pass as a poor headed backpass from Mahmoud Dahoud fell neatly into the path of substitute striker Dominic Solanke. He blazed in behind the Frankfurt defense before slotting a neat finish past Kaua, enough for Spurs to finish 0-2 winners and qualify directly for the Champions League Round of 16.
Reactions
Another week, another European win! And a hugely valuable one at that; with all the injuries, Spurs need as few fixtures as they can get.
It’s hard to separate that performance from the quality of the opponent. Frankfurt were really poor, but you can only play who’s in front of you, right?
That said, I’m starting a petition for Spurs to move to Germany. I think this team could win the Bundesliga. Can we play Bundesliga teams every week?
Xavi Simons seems to like playing German opponents as well, turning up the style for the second time in two weeks. He was all over the pitch and routinely cut the Frankfurt defense to shreds with smart passing and movement. While he’s not the fastest, I love his little burst of acceleration he has to break the lines with a carry.
Wilson Odobert is another who has got better as the season has gone on. He was very good tonight.
I had to scratch my head a little at the midfield setup. It felt (for want of a better word) redundant, albeit somewhat necessary due to the players Spurs had available. Sarr and Palhinha were almost invisible in possession, but the more defensive structure didn’t really seem to reduce space in transition for Frankfurt.
That was in part due to the formation relying heavily on the fullbacks to provide width high up the pitch, with Spurs struggling to stretch the defense otherwise; this meant the CMs were often caught covering wide, leaving acres of space in the middle of the pitch. I hope Frank doesn’t take the wrong lesson from this match as he seems to do and try to apply this in the Premier League; Spurs will get cut to shreds.
How nice is it to have a player like Kevin Danso in the squad? He’s such a solid, reliable player. The fact he stepped in following Micky’s injury and didn’t miss a beat is a credit to him, and I think he was an underrated signing.
It looks like Spurs will be playing one of Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, or Club Brugge in the Round of 16. I know which of those options I’d rather take on.
Next up: Manchester City on Sunday. COYS!