Preview:
It may be 2 legs but how will this Spurs team handle a top European side? Will they handle the pressure? Do they have the quality?
Fixture:
Thursday 10th April, 20:00
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Eintracht Frankfurt
UEFA Europa League, Quarter-finals, 1st Leg
Available On:
UK – TNT Sports 3
IRE – Premier Sports 2
Result: 1-1
H. Ekitiké (6′)
Pedro Porro (26′)
Match Report:
Quarter final fixtures in Europe bring back memories of that special night against Man City and of course I couldn’t help but dare to dream again!
That dream was nearly over though as quick as it began when Ekitiké exposed appalling marking in just the 6th minute. In all fairness it was a lovely finish showing calm and composure that you would want to see from your own striker around the box. Vicario didn’t really stand a chance and it looked like Spurs were going to have to do this the hard way.
I have to say I feared the worst and thought we could be heading for a humiliating evening so I was surprised to see Frankfurt take there step off the gas a little and allow Spurs a chance to regroup. Spurs were growing into the game without being spectacular but the equaliser certainly showed a bit of class. It was a lovely worked goal after some quick feet in the box from Maddison to set up Pedro Porro who somehow manages to flick it towards goal catching the goalie unaware.
Going in at the break all square felt like a result with Spurs still not finding top gear. But the second half was a different show, whatever was said in the changing room seemed to wake them up and the chances began to flow.
Bergvall’s shot hit the bar and Bentancur was denied a couple of headers from corners. Romero too pushed forward and it was nice to see Spurs on the front foot looking for that winner. One of the best chances fell to Johnson after good work from Solanke but he was unable to keep his shot down as it flew high over the bar. Van der Ven then looked to have sealed it late on with another header only for the goalie to save again.
Incredibly neither team could break the deadlock which means we go into the second leg level on goals and all to play for. It’s setup for another magical night in Europe and the dream goes on 🙂 COYS!
Entertainment Value: 8 / 10
I’m being generous again but let’s face it we’ve been starved of entertainment this season so will take what I can get!
Standout Players: Frankfurt’s goalie Kauã Santos probably deserved man of the match but for Spurs I’m going for Bergvall. He worked hard throughout the game with box to box play and was unfortunate not to score with a fabulous long range effort.
