The Champions League campaign will continue on for Tottenham Hotspur regardless of Wednesday’s outcome, though the same cannot be said definitively for Thomas Frank. The writing seems on the wall for the beleaguered manager, and perhaps his only hope is continuing to perform well in Europe. If/when this avenue dries up, it feels all but certain that his time in North London will cease.
Frank has no excuse but to grab all three points on Wednesday and secure a bye into the Round of 16. Eintracht Frankfurt is already eliminated from the competition, losing in five of the seven preceding matchweeks. A loss to Hoffenheim over the weekend makes Saturday’s fixture against Leverkusen even more important, so the Champions League might not really be a priority for the German side any longer. Regardless, Spurs control their own destiny and have every incentive to bring home the win.
UCL League Phase MW7
Date: Wednesday, January 28
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany
TV: Paramount+ (US), Discovery+ (UK)
Table: Frankfurt (33rd, 4 pts), Spurs (5th, 14 pts)
When Frankfurt went up 1-0 in the first leg of last season’s Europa League Quarterfinals, it did feel like perhaps Ange Postecoglou’s tenure was reaching its end. Instead, Pedro Porro equalized soon after, and the clubs headed back to Germany on level turns. There, the visitors put in a professional shift, advancing from the tie via a Dominic Solanke penalty and continuing on their path to an eventual trophy.
Two Things to Watch
European Spurs
For whatever reason, Tottenham has been a completely different side in the Champions League than in domestic play. The lone loss came to PSG, and five of the seven contests have results in clean sheets, including each of the past two matches. This defensive effort has not incumbered the attack, as each of the past four matchweeks produced multiple goals. Who is this club?!
Perhaps the contrast in styles fits better in Europe, where Spurs are facing fewer low blocks and instead tasked with facing more tactical sides, which shifts the burden. Against Dortmund, it was very clear which side was in control — even before the red card — and Frank’s group seemed well aligned in its approach and execution. Frankfurt is languishing in the Champions League, but does not act like a bottom-table English side.
Some of the difference just has to be down to mentality, though. There are no meaningless matches in the Premier League right now, as relegation is technically still a priority and a climb into the European places is not impossible, but this club has now prioritized continental play for the past 12 months and simply plays its best on these stages. That will work for Frank (for now).
Dead rubber
It is pretty amazing that Tottenham has a chance to finish in the top eight of the League Phase, fully holding its fate in its own hands. What looked to be a tough closing to this stage with back-to-back Bundesliga opponents is now quite manageable, especially after getting through last week. Frankfurt have been dreadful in this competition, failing to record a win after the opening matchweek.
Consecutive 5-1 blowouts to Atleti and Liverpool and a 3-0 loss to Atalanta have given way to a pair of one-goal defeats, which I guess is a reason for encouragement, especially since one came away to Barcelona. However, the loss to Qarabag (ouch) last week was the first time Frankfurt scored multiple goals since the win over Galatasaray, and the defense has allowed two-plus goals five out of seven times.
Frankfurt has been better domestically, but that is all the more reason why Wednesday’s contest might not feature its best effort. It is quite literally the opposite scenario as Spurs, and while things in football that seem so clear cut rarely play out as such, this is really the ideal situation for Frank. I would expect a controlled effort from Tottenham that features more moments of boredom than excitement, but three points should be in the cards.