Tottenham Hotspur

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Turf Moor after our 2-2 draw against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here's what he had to say...

How do you see that? One point gained or two dropped? Martin Dubravka made a lot of saves…

Thomas: “Dubravka was man of the match, he was that for a reason. That means we did a lot of things right offensively. I think we came here, took some of the confidence from the game against Dortmund into the game. I think first half we were good. I think actually we were very good, dominating the game, on top of the game, scoring 1-0 goal, creating a lot of chances, opportunities, could have done the 2-0, more or less if not out of sight, then definitely in a very good way to try to win a football match. Then we concede a chance... we give nothing away first half, except a goal at the end of the first half, that we can never, ever, ever concede that goal, because it just changed a little bit the momentum going into half-time. Then the second half, we're coming out, we're not as dominant, but I still think we are ok on top. We've got a big chance to Dominic Solanke to go 2-1 up. And then we concede another goal that we can never, ever, ever concede. That makes it difficult for us, but big praise to the players for showing the character and running power and will power to keep going. We created big chances, to Xavi and I think there was one more, and then the goal. So, we did more than enough to get the equaliser. Over the game I think did more than enough to win it, but unfortunately not.”

Romero and van de Ven scored again – but it’s defenders scoring the goals again…

Thomas: “It's fantastic, two defenders scoring again. That is very positive, but of course you need more from the offensive players. They know it. They work very hard on it. It's not that they don't want it, but of course we need that. The day we add that together, plus defending a tiny bit better, then we will win.”

Porro and Romero were substituted, were they injuries?

Thomas: “No, Romero was cramping in the end. Pedro was physical, he’s played a lot of minutes, we had more running power with Djed to the right and then Destiny in.”

The fans were booing again and chanting about you, how do you block it out?

Thomas: “First and foremost, I want to thank them for travelling and supporting the team throughout the game, which they do. I'm sure they can recognise and acknowledge especially the first half, the improvement we've done there, and could and should have put it out of sight, but also acknowledge the will-power and character of the team that keeps running, keep fighting, to the end. We just need to keep going. We do so many things right, but there's no doubt, that when it's not dropping so easy for us, the consistent performances we've done, which I think I said that many times, they actually are in an okay level, but apparently because of where we are now, we need to do more, to make sure we get the wins over the line, especially in the Premier League. One of the bits is to play every third or fourth day, to perform, that demands a lot of mentality. We have a few injuries, that doesn't help, but that's part of it. Never any complaints from me, that's reality. But that's where we need to be strong enough as a team to keep performing every third or fourth day.”

Did the goal before half-time change the players’ mindset a little bit?

Thomas: “I think there's definitely something, I've said that before, the ability to handle setbacks. That's something we're working very hard on, which I do think we've done better and better. This was, I would say, at 1-1, the first part of the second half, I think it's an area we need to do better to control it and just keep doing the right things. Where I think, especially after the 2-1 goal, we found extra willpower and determination, which is hugely beneficial. If we'd have scored Dom's 2-1 goal, I'm pretty sure we would have been in a fine place.”

What’s your message to the fans? It was a bad result, and they weren't happy with it….

Thomas: “Yeah, I think the performance, if you look at it throughout the game, especially the first half was good. The way we ended the game was good. Average second half, which you've seen many times. Then, unfortunately, the two moments where we didn't defend well enough. That's what we are working very, very, very hard on to try to get on top of. We are fighting everything we can to perform as well as we can, that's the way it is.”

What would your message be to those fans who were turning on you again at the end?

Thomas: “I think the message to the fans, as I've said the whole time, is that we're working very hard to make sure everything is going in the right direction, and that we'll keep doing that.”

The fixtures in the Premier League are going to get harder from here. What gives you confidence or belief that the team can do what they need to do against a higher level of team?

Thomas: “I never look ahead to see how the fixtures look. I think in the Premier League, every game is incredibly difficult. I think everyone, every head coach, every manager I speak to, thinks the same. Right now, the next game ahead of us is against Frankfurt away, another difficult one, but where we have a great opportunity to finish in the last eight, and that's what we're focusing on.”

Can I just ask about Andy Robertson?

Thomas: “In general, I don't speak about players that are not in the club, so that's no comment.”

Thomas Frank highlighted Burnley’s equaliser just before half-time as a momentum changer as it finished 2-2 at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Saturday.

Setting up with the same system that did so well against Borussia Dortmund in midweek – with Micky van de Ven at left-back and Djed Spence pushed further forward – we produced an equally impressive display for the first 44 minutes.

Indeed, we created chance after chance – 10 by the break – only to have van de Ven’s strike on 38 minutes as a reward as home goalkeeper Martin Dubravka produced save after save. Burnley then hit us with a gut punch to level through Axel Tuanzebe just before half-time.

“It's definitely a game we should have won,” reflected Thomas on SPURSPLAY afterwards. “It's very frustrating not to stand here with three points. I think the boys do a lot of things right throughout the game.

“I think especially the first half is good - coming here, dominating and scoring the 1-0 goal. We should have, could have, got the second, then I think we are, if not out of sight, we're definitely in an even better position. Then we concede a goal just before half-time - we can never, ever, concede that goal. That just brings a little bit of a bad feeling into the changing room.

“We try to do everything we can to change it, but the second half is not as controlled in the way we want it to be. We still create a big chance to Dom. That could have put us 2-1 up and then, you know, momentum changed a little bit again.

“Then we concede another goal, we can't concede that either. After that, the boys show great character, fighting, doing everything they can to get back in the game, create three or four big chances, score one of them, get 2-2, but it's frustrating we don't get three. We should have got three with the performance.”

Asked about the importance of that Burnley leveller just before half-time in terms of a shift in momentum, Thomas added: “I think first half, that's where we need to… football is about momentum and when you're on top of it, you need to score the second goal, which we didn't. If you don't do that, then make sure we don't concede the 1-1. That's the big thing.

“It’s extremely frustrating that we are standing here doing a lot of things right, not perfect, but a lot of things right - more than enough to get a lot more points than we’ve got. There's only one way - that's head down, work hard, do more, keep fighting, keep doing the right things, keep walking forward. And that's what we'll do.”

Cristian Romero popped up with another late equaliser to rescue a point at Burnley on Saturday.

The central defender produced a brilliant 90th-minute header from Wilson Odobert's cross to score his third goal in as many games and ensure we didn't leave Turf Moor empty-handed, having found ourselves denied by a string of Martin Dubravka saves and the frame of the goal over the course of the contest.

His central defensive partner Micky van de Ven had earlier fired us into a deserved lead, but Burnley fought back with goals from Axel Tuanzebe and Lyle Foster either side of half-time.

Without a win in 13 Premier League outings beforehand, the Clarets looked set to cling on despite our heavy pressure for what would have been a famous win - until Romero, much like he did at Newcastle United last month, took matters into his own hands to make it 2-2 at the end. There was still a sense of frustration for the team at full-time, though, having gone close to adding to the scoreline on multiple occasions.

Djed Spence, operating as a left wing-back with three central defenders in the starting team, found a couple of early openings on his side of the pitch but we couldn't capitalise, while Lucas Pires had the ball in the net for Burnley in the ninth minute, but saw his effort ruled out for a blatant offside.

Pedro Porro went close with a couple of free-kicks in quick succession, finding the side-netting with the first before seeing the second saved by Dubravka, while Dominic Solanke's looping header landing on the roof of the net as we probed in search of a breakthrough. That duly arrived in the 38th minute, though, after a sustained spell of pressure. Odobert, on his return to his old club, was denied by Dubravka at the end of a brilliant solo run, Dubravka then saved admirably from Odobert and Conor Gallagher at the resulting corner before the subsequent corner was taken short and delivered, causing problems for Burnley and allowing van de Ven to drill low through a crowded box and into the bottom corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Odobert exchanged passes with Xavi Simons before firing straight at the keeper as we really tried to press home the advantage but Scott Parker's side stunned us with an equaliser against the run of play on the stroke of half-time, ex-Spur Kyle Walker's cross converted at the back post by Tuanzebe. It was the Clarets' first shot on target.

We needed a fine recovery block from van de Ven to deny Armando Broja at the near post in the opening exchanges of the second period before another golden chance went begging for us, Solanke's header in the middle of the box from Xavi's cross well stopped by the in-form Dubravka. His opposite number Guglielmo Vicario made a brave double save at the feet of Broja to prevent him from scoring on the counter-attack moments later while Spence became the latest player to be thwarted by Dubravka before a hammer blow for us, a second goal for Burnley with just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining. Lucas Pires came in from the left side and found Jaidon Anthony, who played in to the feet of Taylor, his initial shot was saved by Vicario but he was able to slide home the rebound, despite the best efforts of Destiny Udogie to keep it out.

We pushed aggressively for a way back into the game and after substitute Mathys Tel's effort towards the top corner was clawed away by Dubravka, Odobert made inroads along the byline on the right and steered the ball across the box, where Xavi's fierce shot cannoned back off the woodwork in a huge chance for us. But in the last minute of normal time, our pressure finally told as Odobert again crossed from the right and Romero blasted an unstoppable header inside the near post to bring us back level. Unfortunately, there was to be no further opportunity and both teams had to settle for a frustrating share of the spoils.

Supporters travelling to Germany for our UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday 28 January should take note of the following important information, which includes…

Guidance from local police on recommended areas for away supporters within the city.

Details of the stadium entry process.

Transport options available to the stadium.

Arrangements for supporters with accessibility requirements.

Details on prohibited items.

Flags should be pre-approved, submitting details to supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com, by no later than Tuesday, 27 November at midday.

Frankfurt

It is recommended that supporters familiarise themselves with the government’s travel advice for Germany. Supporters requiring assistance from the British consulate should call +496927308800 or email ukingermany@fcdo.gov.uk.

While there is no requirement to show ID at the stadium, supporters are advised to carry their passport while in Germany as police may require it to be shown upon request.

The Club’s Travel Line - 07917 880445 - will be available throughout the day and evening of the match for any supporters experiencing problems.

The official currency of Germany is the Euro.

Recommended areas for Spurs supporters

Supporters are strongly advised to not wear anything that will identify them as a Tottenham Hotspur supporter while in Frankfurt.

On matchday, supporters are advised to go to O’Reilly’s Irish Pub, opposite Frankfurt Central Station. O’Reilly’s will open specifically for Tottenham Hotspur supporters from midday. Cashless payments will be taken at tables, but cash will be required when ordering from the bar.

Supporters should note that O’Reilly’s has capacity for approximately 1,000 people and does not have accessible toilet facilities. There is an accessible toilet within the Main Station.

O’Reilly’s is located directly across from the main train station and is well monitored and secured by the police. However, supporters are advised to avoid the station district, Bahnhofsviertel, specifically the area between O’Reilly’s Irish Pub and Willy Brandt Platz.

For security reasons, under no circumstances should supporters visit the Sachsenhausen district of Frankfurt. The district is across the Main River from central Frankfurt and is heavily populated with Eintracht Frankfurt supporters. Supporters should also avoid the Gleisdreieck car park at the stadium.

Passport validity

Supporters are advised that passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry to Germany (check the ‘date of issue’) and be valid for at least three months after the day of departure (check the ‘expiry date’).

Getting to the stadium

Supporters are advised to go to O’Reilly’s Irish Pub before taking a police escort via trains from Frankfurt Central Station.

The police escort will take place from approximately 6-6.30pm local time. The departure time is subject to change, so please keep in touch with Tottenham Hotspur staff who will be based at O’Reilly’s – you can also join our Matchday WhatsApp channel for the latest travel information. The cost of train transport is included with match tickets.

Please note, weather forecasts indicate a cold and potentially wet evening in Frankfurt. Transport to the stadium following departure from the train is a 15-minute uncovered walk through a forested area, and it is therefore advised to be considerate of conditions. This part of the route is not suitable for wheelchair users or supporters with limited mobility. Guidance on an alternative route to the stadium for supporters with limited mobility will be sent directly to members of the Disability Access Scheme.

It is strongly advised to travel with the police escort rather than making this journey unaccompanied.

Arriving by other routes

Supporters not attending O’Reilly’s Irish Pub are strongly advised to arrive to the stadium campus at Entrance E2A via car park P9 as shown on the map. This is the designated external visiting supporters’ entrance and is near to the following transport options:

Tram

Take the tram lines S7 (overground), S8 or S9 (underground) from the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) to the Stadion stop. You can also take tram line 21 to the Stadion stop on the other side of Deutsche Bank Park.

Bus

The regular bus line 61 and the special bus line 80 travel between Frankfurt airport and Frankfurt Südbahnhof. The buses travel via Frankfurt Niederrad in the direction of the stadium. Fans should use the stops Stadionbad or Osttribüne. The walk to Deutsche Bank Park from each tram or bus stop takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Taxi

Supporters should note that private taxis operate within the P9 car park before and after the game. Fans should expect delays exiting the car park after the game due to road traffic congestion in the surrounding area.

At Deutsche Bank Park

The stadium will be open from 7pm local time.

PDF tickets will be sent to supporters by email in advance of the game. These tickets can be scanned using a mobile device or printed at home. Supporters will have tickets checked and be subject to a body search upon arrival. No ID checks will be required on entry to the stadium.

Supporters should not cover their faces with clothing items or face coverings when queuing and entering through the turnstiles. Neck warmers and scarves are permitted; however, fans are advised that balaclavas are strictly prohibited. Any supporter covering their face will be refused entry to the stadium, unless they have a medical exemption.

Entry to the stadium is reached via a short ramp. Supporters unable to walk up the ramp can seek assistance from support staff with wheelchairs.

The visitors’ section is in the southeast corner of the stadium and is split over two levels. Block 20 is situated in the lower level and is the standing area. Block 21 is situated in the upper level and is all seated. Supporters should note that the standing area does not feature safety bars of the type at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and so not every supporter will have a barrier in front of them.

Tottenham Hotspur stewards will be present at the entrance and inside the stadium, designated as Visiting Fan Support.

Safety netting is in place at pitchside, with metal fencing impeding the view of the pitch in the first few rows of the standing area.

Supporters with Category 1 tickets

Category 1 tickets are located in Block 9M. Supporters with Category 1 tickets are advised to arrive at external entrance E2A (see map) to enter.

Category 1 tickets are located in the home section of the stadium, in line with UEFA requirements. For safety and security reasons, supporters should not wear Tottenham Hotspur colours when sitting in the Category 1 area.

Accessibility

The recommended route to the stadium for access supporters is via private car, tram, bus or taxi, with the accessible route at entrance E2A or via car park P9 (see map for locations). This is the external visiting supporters’ entrance which offers step-free access to the stadium. Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt access staff will be there on your arrival and will be happy to assist you in making your way to the visiting supporters’ section. Please note, while there is ramped access to the visiting supporters’ section, some of the journey is made along a gravel pathway.

Eintracht Frankfurt offers a shuttle service from entrance E1 to the visiting supporters’ section, however, please note that the vehicles are not wheelchair accessible. Fans can use the service without prior notice, with shuttles running every 20 minutes. After the match, supporters using the shuttle service should note that the service will resume approximately 30-45 minutes after the final whistle due to road traffic congestion around the stadium. Fans using private taxis should also note these delays when leaving the stadium after the game.

Wheelchair spaces are located on a designated platform within the visitors’ section. Wheelchair users should enter through block 20, with the wheelchair spaces located to the left-hand side.

Seats for ambulant supporters are located within the visitors’ section. Ambulant supporters should enter through Block 20, with step-free access to seats located to the right-hand side.

An accessible toilet is available at the entrance to Block 20. Please note that there is no Changing Places facility or Audio Descriptive Commentary service.

Alcohol

Alcohol will be served to supporters throughout the time the stadium is open and can be consumed in view of the pitch.

Bag Policy

Bags no larger than 20cm x 30cm (A4) will be permitted into the stadium following a search. There is no storage facility at the stadium, so supporters are advised not to bring larger bags with them.

Medical exemptions

Any supporters requiring medical exemption to the bag policy, or any prohibited items are strongly advised to contact the Club in advance of travel at access@tottenhamhotspur.com.

Flags

Supporters are asked to submit an image of their flag along with its dimensions to supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com by 12pm on Tuesday 27 January. All flags must have a fire safety certificate.

Flags and banners no larger than 2x1.5m, with valid fire safety certificates. Flags will be checked by Eintracht Frankfurt stewards before admission. Tottenham Hotspur stewards will be on hand to support if necessary.

The Club has always considered that a football match is a time to show allegiance to a football team first and foremost. A football match is not an appropriate arena to display flags of any political or religious affiliation or anything that could possibly be considered inflammatory - this can include national flags during times of political conflicts, campaigns or issues.

Please note, as at other stadia in the UK and Europe, flags with religious / sectarian / political / inflammatory or offensive messages will not be permitted and may be confiscated. Flag poles are not permitted.

Supporters are also reminded of the Club’s own Flags and Banners Policy which is in effect at away matches.

Payments

Kiosks will accept card and cash (Euro) payments for food and drinks.

Prohibited items

The following will not be allowed into the stadium:

Aerosols

Animals

Bulky items such as ladders, chairs and large bags over A4 size

Cameras, computers and recording equipment for commercial or media use

Cans

Drugs

Drums

Glass

Face coverings

Flagpoles larger than 2m in length and 3cm in diameter

Food or drink

Helmets

Large umbrellas

Laser pointers

Materials with discriminatory or political content

Mechanical / electronic devices for making noise

Plastic bottles

Pyrotechnic devices

Scissors

Selfie sticks

Tools

Weapons

Supporters will be permitted to bring a small battery pack / power bank into the stadium. Larger devices will not be permitted.

Leaving the stadium

Supporters may be held back for up to 30 minutes after the final whistle for safety reasons. Access to toilets and food and drink from kiosks will be available during this time. Supporters are politely asked to remain patient until permitted to leave.

Supporters will be escorted back to Frankfurt am Main Stadion station and on to trains back to Frankfurt Central Station.

Supporters using the shuttle service should note that the service will resume approximately 30-45 minutes after the final whistle due to road traffic congestion around the stadium.

Spurs Respects

We are justly proud of our superb and loyal support at home and away. We all have a responsibility to act as ambassadors of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and act as considerate visitors to those who live and work in the cities and countries we visit. Please respect local customs and traditions by not placing flags or banners on local statues or monuments.

We recognise that most supporters want to watch a football match and not to listen to abusive or indecent language from the stands. Discriminatory behaviour, which includes shouting, chanting or actions such as racist, sectarian, homophobic, sexist or anti-disability behaviour is unacceptable. If you witness incidents like these, please get in contact with a steward as soon as you can.

Unauthorised use of tickets

Supporters are reminded that the unauthorised reselling or passing on of tickets is strictly prohibited. In line with the Club's Sanctions & Banning Policy, supporters found to have purchased tickets and subsequently sold or passed them on to other supporters, or offered for sale, will be subject to sanctions.

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Here's what he had to say...

How much did you enjoy that performance and win tonight?

Thomas: "Yeah, I really enjoyed the performance and the win, of course. I think especially the first half, I felt we were very good. I think we started exceptionally well, on top of them, pressed them, calm on the ball, produced chances, created opportunities, scored a good goal, and kept going, then scored the second goal, which of course is also super important. So, everything about the first half, I was extremely happy with. I think it's definitely some of the best we've done. Second half, I would have loved us to keep the ball a bit better. I would have loved to have killed it with some of the big chances, just the 3-0, but we know in football it's never easy, even if you play 11 against 10. Also because the momentum is they have to push a bit and then of course, we all knew it was an important win to get, especially at home, of course, we haven't been as confident. So, the performance and the win can we build on? Then I asked for the fans to help everyone, especially the team and the players and they were exceptional, especially the first half. You felt it was that one of these, how can you say, a little bit special European nights. You felt the energy was quite unique. So, that was very nice."

Everyone felt the urgency from the first minute. Was there a different message? Did Dominic Solanke's return help?

Thomas: "I don't know. It was just extremely nice to experience and as I say, the way they pushed us forward and that energy between the fans and the players was magic. That's what we need to create more of. Luckily, we've been good to do it in the Champions League with four wins and four clean sheets at home."

It felt like your players gave everything, you must be so pleased with how they left it all out there?

Thomas: "I said it from the beginning, the players are giving everything. I think that's an extremely good sign about the culture. Extremely good sign that they want to do everything, that they are together, that we are together, very impressive. We were a little bit down to the bare bones with the available players and the way Destiny, he was definitely one of the ones I was talking about yesterday. We were constantly talking about, should we swap him in or not? He was sometimes bombarding forward. I was thinking, 'oh no, Dest, please, come on, calm now, be a little bit clever'. Dom is the one that is normally a physical beast, but he's been out for so long. He gave everything, and I think he gave so much to the team. Of course also scored a great goal with a triple contact to get it over the line - very good to have the two of them on the pitch."

What did you make of Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Djed Spence?

Thomas: "I think they did very well. We played that, how can you say? It was a little bit of a 3-4-3, both to match it up, but also to do it a little bit, taking care of it and Djed, I think, did exceptionally well, especially first half. Xavi produced a lot of good moments and found good positions, and I think Wilson was electric at times. So, I'm happy with that."

Jun'ai Byfield is just 17, but he didn't look out of place, did he?

Thomas: "No, no, not at all. Jun'ai has impressed throughout the training. The players trust him, clearly they rate him highly. I rate him highly. One thing is to get your debut for Tottenham, the last five minutes, 4-0 up and everything is smooth. Another thing is to get your debut in the Champions League, a big night against Dortmund and we needed to win the game. He just came in, composed, calm, on top of this. Wow. I hope his parents are very proud. They should be."

Can you translate this Champions League form into the Premier League?

Thomas: "I think the big thing is to build on this with a performance and a win against Burnley on Saturday. What I would say is that it's a big skill to be able to produce Premier League, Champions League, Premier League, Champions League every week from the team and players. That we're working very hard on and I actually think and I keep saying it because I mean it, this is the eighth game in a row where I think we consistently performed quite well - not everything has been through the roof, but overall good in all games, but we haven't been able to get over the line, get a little bit of the margins with us. Today you can say the little margins was maybe a red card that helped a little bit instead of the one we had against Liverpool go the other way. Of course, the triple contract of Dom inside the post, goal, boom and down where we didn’t get that against Sunderland, West Ham and Bournemouth where all three we should have won with the performance we put in. So, we just need to do the same thing, keep believing and then we just know that things will turn."

How important is the top eight of the Champions League?

Thomas: “No, I think it's important that of course it's always the next game that is the most important one, so we need to perform and win against Burnley on Saturday. After that, of course, I know we have Frankfurt and we need to do everything we can to make sure we finish top eight because that will mean that you have two games less. Also I think it's fair to say we have a few injuries, so to not only to have a little more rest, but mainly also to be able to train with the players and try to implement more principles and ideas."

Do you think your team proved you are worth sticking with?

Thomas: "I think it's about the team and everything, but of course I understand the question. What I feel the whole time is that I feel the staff is with us, I think the players are with us, the ownership, everyone wants the same thing and we're on the same page. We do a lot of things in the right direction and today was a big performance and a big win. Of course, I'm very aware of that, but I’m also very aware that this we have done and we need to keep that consistency and of course turn that a little bit. As I say, some of the other games we easily could have won, now we need to build on this. I just see a team that is running very, very hard and I think that's a very, very good sign. That's a healthy sign of a culture and we are building something a little bit step by step. We can easily have got better results the last three games, we just didn't, but we're running hard."

Will you allow yourself a beer or a little glass of wine tonight?

Thomas: "I think two big glasses of red will be necessary, I will enjoy that."

We dominated that first half, front foot, 11-0 efforts at goal - and Dortmund were also reduced to 10 men on 26 minutes when Daniel Svensson's yellow card for a challenge on Odobert was upgraded to red via a VAR review. It was impressive stuff against a team who has lost just three times – once in 18 in the Bundesliga – all season.

We kept the visitors at arm's length in the second half - Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani denied by Gregor Kobel - to make it four wins and two draws in our seven league phase matches - that means we're guaranteed a place in the play-off round, at least - with a place in the top eight, and therefore straight through to the Round of 16, still very much on the table as we travel to Eintracht Frankfurt in MD8 – victory there, and we’ll finish top eight.

Speaking to us afterwards, Thomas said: “The first half was really good, really happy with that. I think the way we started the game - so aggressive, so intense, so focused in every aspect, and we got the well-deserved 1-0 lead, carried on, tried to push for the second.

“Then the red card came, but we still kept the momentum and scored, actually, in every aspect, a very good second goal - probably a little bit of a triple touch from Dom, but very happy to see it go over the line for the team, but also for Dom. I think that was a big moment for all of us.

“In the second half, we had some big transition opportunities where we needed to kill the game with, also needed to keep the ball a bit better, playing 11 against 10. They changed a little bit their formation, but keeping the ball was a big thing. I think also there was a little bit of confidence. We all knew it was a big game to get over the line, and now we got the win and so many positives and need to build on that.

“I think the crowd was amazing. I asked the fans to please support everyone, to support the team, and especially the first half, you felt there was a little bit of that magic European night over it, so that was amazing to feel."

We started the game without 13 players – the bench packed with our Academy players, including Jun’ai Byfield, who came on for his debut in the second half – and Thomas indicated beforehand that a few players would have to ‘push through’ – which they all did admirably.

Thomas added: “It was very pleasing to see the way they did that. They were so forward, so focused. We didn't have that many players available, but everyone just pushed through. I think I said it to Xavi, he pushed through the pain to play, Destiny - first start (since early December) really pushed through that, Dom pushed as long as he could as well, so that was very positive.”

As a minimum, we have secured a place in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Play-Off round.

With victory over Borussia Dortmund, our points tally jumped to 14 which means we can no longer be eliminated from the competition in the League Phase.

That therefore at least secures our place in February's Play-Off round at least.

With one game remaining, whether we take part in the Play-Off round or progress directly to the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight remains to be determined.

Once all games in matchweek seven have been completed (Wednesday), we should know if we have secured a place in seeded side of the Play-Off round draw (positions 9-16).

What is assured though is that, if we defeat Eintracht Frankfurt next week in Frankfurt, we will finish the league phase in the top eight and progress directly to March's round of 16.

Tuesday night's victory over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League continued our stunning home run in European competitions.

Thanks to maiden Champions League goals in our colours from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke saw us to a 2-0 win over our German opponents, extending our run of home games without defeat in Europe to 24.

Since a 1-0 UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg loss to RB Leipzig in February, 2020 - almost six years ago - we have not tasted defeat in a home European game.

In that time, we have faced 24 games in Europe - 13 in the Europa League, eight in the Champions League and three in the Europa Conference League with a record of won 19 and drawn four.

We have scored 65 goals in that time and conceded just 13 goals while we have kept 15 clean sheets along the way.

Record vs Borussia Dortmund

The victory over Dortmund continued our strong record against the German side.

Despite losing our first two meetings with the German side, falling in both legs of our Europa League round of 16 tie with them in the 2015/16 season, we have won five consecutive games against them now - all in the Champions League.

We first triumphed against them in two group games in the 2017/18 season, winning 3-1 at home before triumphing 2-1 at Signal Iduna Park.

We then defeated them across both legs of our round of 16 tie against them in 2018/18, enjoying an emphatic 3-0 win at Wembley Stadium and then winning 1-0 on the continent.

And then on Tuesday night, we of course enjoyed a 2-0 win against the men in yellow and black with the goals from Cuti and Dom.

Another wonderful Champions League night in N17 saw us overcome Borussia Dortmund with goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke rounding off an excellent performance.

Tuesday’s 2-0 victory guaranteed a top 24 finish in the league phase and a play-off place and, depending on Wednesday night’s results, it’s likely a win at Eintracht Frankfurt next Wednesday will secure a passage straight into the last 16.

Facing a Dortmund side which had only lost once in the Bundesliga all season and were joint top scorers in this season’s Champions League, we were always on top in the contest, even before Daniel Svensson was given a straight red card in the 26th minute. By that stage, Romero had netted his first Champions League goal for us, while Solanke capped his first start of the season with his first goal of the campaign to put us 2-0 up at the break, a lead we didn’t relinquish.

It extended our run to 24 home European matches without defeat and four home wins without conceding in the league phase this term, while there was a further bright spot with a debut off the bench for 17-year-old Academy product Jun’ai Byfield, becoming Legacy Number 902 in the process.

We made five changes from the weekend defeat to West Ham with many of those enforced because of injuries, suspensions and ineligible players. Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall and Solanke came in for Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani.

With the Champions League anthem pumping out and the fans right behind the team, we made a bright start on a chilly night in N17 and went close on six minutes when Odobert got away down the right flank, his low ball into the box almost found Xavi Simons but Svensson cleared for a corner. We never let Dortmund settle and took the lead with 14 minutes gone. Pedro Porro’s corner was headed away by Serhou Guirassy to Odobert who, although mis-kicking his attempted volley, was able to swing the loose ball into the area where Romero slotted home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Odobert was causing Dortmund all sorts of trouble down his flank and was in again four minutes later, his cross this time finding Xavi but his effort was deflected away for a corner. That came to nothing but we were given a boost in the 26th minute when Svensson was given a straight red card. His challenge on Odobert’s shin initially earned him a yellow card, but Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg upgraded it to a red after a pitchside review.

That allowed us to start to dictate the game a bit more, enjoying lots of possession for a spell and going close again when another ball in from the right landed at the feet of Spence whose first-time volley flew over the bar. Two minutes later though, we did double our lead, Pedro Porro and Odobert superbly combining again with the latter cutting back for Solanke to convert. Only he will know whether he meant the double flick in off the post!

We forced Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into his first save of the night in the 42nd minute as he gathered in a shot from Odobert from the edge of the area while the closing minutes of the half saw us in control going into the break.

The visitors made two changes at the interval and one of them, Julian Ryerson, had their first effort at goal soon after the restart, hitting a 25-yard free-kick just wide of Guglielmo Vicario’s post before Xavi was well off target with a right-foot curler at the other end. With the two-goal advantage, we didn’t go chasing the game and were content to let Dortmund have the ball in front us. They saw plenty of it but Vicario wasn’t tested and, instead, it was Kobel with a big save at his near post to deny Xavi after an excellent counter-attack. Romero then headed just wide from a Porro corner.

It really should have been 3-0 in the 78th minute after Xavi’s wonderful ball released Kolo Muani in on goal but Kobel stood tall to deny him, while Xavi blazed wide as we continued to create chances. Dortmund had a couple of headers in the final minutes, Nico Schlotterbeck the closest when he forced Vicario to tip the ball over the bar in stoppage time, before one final glorious opportunity for our third as Xavi led the breakaway and played in Pedro Porro surging forwards from the back, but he couldn’t get a shot away and we had to settle for just the two goals on a fantastic night in north London.

We can now confirm the starting XIs and substitutes for tonight's UEFA Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund (8pm UK).

Dominic Solanke comes in for his first start of the campaign and maiden appearance in Europe this term as one of five changes from Saturday's Premier League outing.

Elsewhere, the returning Destiny Udogie starts for the first time since our trip to Newcastle United on 2 December with Kevin Danso and Djed Spence joining him in the backline.

The final change sees Lucas Bergvall get the nod in midfield.

Our bench features nine current or past players from our Academy, with Tynan Thompson, Malachi Hardy, Jun'ai Byfield, Yusuf Akhamrich and James Rowswell in line for a debut should they come on this evening.

Starting XI: Vicario, Danso, Xavi, Udogie, Gray, Bergvall, Romero (c), Solanke, Pedro Porro, Spence, Odobert.

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi, Thompson, Hardy, Byfield, Williams-Barnett, Akhamrich, Rowswell.