Tottenham Hotspur are Europa League semi-finalists. Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty was the difference in the second leg and meant Spurs prevailed over Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on aggregate.
A gargantuan defensive display from the Lilywhites in Germany prevented Frankfurt from scoring on home soil for the first time in over a year.
It was a contest with very little clear-cut chances, as the visitors reduced the opposition to only a few openings.
Moments before half-time, James Maddison was forcefully impeded by goalkeeper Kaua Santos inside the area. Following a lengthy VAR check, a penalty was correctly awarded.
Despite not netting in his previous 11 games, Solanke coolly dispatched the spot-kick straight down the middle to give his side a precious lead.
In the second period, Tottenham's resistance withstood the persistent pressure of Dino Toppmoller’s outfit.
Guglilemo Vicario was only called into action once as he reacted smartly to deny Fares Chaibi.
Ange Postecoglou and his players held their nerve to preserve their clean sheet and seal their place in the next round.
Their reward is a two-legged semi-final tie with Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt. The Scandinavian minnows became the first team from Norway to make a European semi-final after holding their nerve in a penalty shootout away to Lazio.
It is only the second time in 40 years the North London club have reached a European semi-final, with the only other instance coming in 2019 as part of their famous run to the Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino.
Here’s four things we learnt after a pride-inducing night in Europe.
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Postecoglou shows his tactical flexibility
“It’s who we are mate.”
Those five words uttered by the Australian early on in his tenure have become infamous. A harmless message that indicated a change in identity has become a stick that Postecoglou has been repeatedly – and metaphorically - beaten with. It has been a source of mockery for rival fans to label defeats with that slogan. Losing games has become what Postecoglou’s Tottenham are all about, or so they thought.
Last night, the club’s motto – 'To Dare is To Do', which aligns with the manager’s adventurous and admirable philosophy – took on a whole different meaning. It may not have been free-flowing, eye-catching and attractive attacking play but it was a brave and committed showing. Tottenham excelled in the face of adversity, something they have become accustomed to during this turbulent campaign.
In the closing stages of the match, Postecoglou opted to take off winger Brennan Johnson and replace him with central defender Kevin Danso, who was making his first appearance in over a month following a recent hamstring problem. The January acquisition from Lens slotted in seamlessly alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to create an unfamiliar back five.
In Postecoglou’s tenure, the tactician has rarely changed formation during a match, but his decision paid dividends in Frankfurt. The additional defensive body helped negate the space advanced right-back Rasmus Kristensen was finding at the back post. Destiny Udogie put in a colossal performance, although he was often outnumbered by the full-back and right winger. In fact, Frankfurt’s three most presentable opportunities fell to the former Leeds defender. Those circumstances proved fortunate for Spurs as the Danish international couldn’t channel the prowess of an attacker and spurned all three chances.
Once Danso was introduced in the 85th minute, Tottenham didn’t look like conceding. With the North London club now deep into the competition, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Postecoglou call upon this sort of pragmatism when necessary.
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Udogie back to his best
When the starting line-up was announced at 6:45pm yesterday evening, there was a divide amongst the Spurs fanbase. For some, the decision to omit Djed Spence from the eleven was controversial considering the 24-year-old’s impact in recent months. Others revelled in the prospect of watching Udogie be given a chance to rediscover his unstoppable form of old.
It transpires that Postecoglou made the correct call. The Italian was flawless in Frankfurt and his all-encompassing display was the catalyst for Spurs’ defensive solidity and their effectiveness in transitions.
Udogie was playing with freedom. A refreshing reminder of what the prodigy can offer when he is firing on all cylinders.
The hamstring injury he sustained in late December ruled him out of action for two months and since returning he has been hampered by the issue, albeit while showing some glimpses of quality. Yesterday indicated those troubles are a thing of the past.
Manchester City have reportedly been linked with a move from Tottenham’s number 13, but with him being contracted with the club until 2030, it looks like the former Udinese man will continue to develop in north London for the foreseeable future.
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Tel revealing his true quality
The absence of skipper Heung-min Son last night allowed Mathys Tel to occupy Spurs’ left-flank in Frankfurt. It was familiar settings for the Bayern Munich loanee, as he had already featured at the Deutsche Bank Park this season, coming on as a substitute for his parent club back in October.
The teenager’s demeanour has transformed over the last few matches. Prior to recent games, Tel had cut a frustrated figure, whose desperation to make an impact in his limited minutes resulted in hurried output.
But following his penalty in the dying embers against Southampton and another goal away to Wolves last weekend, the Frenchman’s self-belief has been restored.
At only 19, the versatile winger has the potential to be one of Europe’s most feared attackers. He was desperately unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet in the first half after cutting inside and curling a sumptuous effort towards the top corner. Goalkeeper Kaua Santos was alert to the danger and parried the strike.
Tel’s maturity was an important asset for Spurs, as he understood the correct times to press and retreat.
With Son’s return unknown, Tel could establish himself as one of Tottenham’s most important players in the closing stages of the campaign. If he continues on this promising trajectory, the Lilywhites would be foolish not to exercise the £60 million buy option clause.
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Tottenham’s leaders make themselves known
Much has been said about the leadership team of Heung-min Son, Crisitan Romero and James Maddison. They’re too nice, too hot-headed and don’t turn up when their side need them most. Those critics were silenced last night.
Son didn’t travel due to a persistent foot issue, so World Cup winner Romero wore the armband in his absence. The Argentine’s commitment to the cause has been frequently questioned this season, with people arguing the defender prioritises representing his national team over the club that pay his wages.
However, Romero relished the responsibility of captaining Tottenham yesterday and was the embodiment of a fearless outfit. The centre-back won 83% of his ground duels and kept the typically lively Hugo Ekitike uncharacteristically quiet.
On the topic of bravery, Spurs’ other vice-captain and core member of the leadership team sacrificed his welfare for the winning goal. Just before the interval, Romero floated a long pass towards Maddison. The Englishman managed to get a vital touch on the ball before Frankfurt stopper Santos clattered into the midfielder. After a VAR consultation, Italian referee Davide Massa pointed to the spot. Solanke converted from 12 yards, although Maddison had to be replaced by Dejan Kulusevski shortly after the opener.
Maddison is a polarising figure. This season alone, countless of pundits – namely Roy Keane - have lambasted the 28-year-old, claiming he never performs in the big games.
But Maddison’s selfless act will go a long way to denouncing those misconceptions and getting the praise his season deserves. Amidst the chaos of the collective campaign, the former Leicester City player has 20 goal contributions in all competitions. Not bad for a player who doesn’t seem to turn up.
