EUROPA LEAGUE
QUARTER-FINAL (1ST LEG)
THURSDAY 10TH APRIL, 2025
(8PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) EINTRACHT FRANKFURT 1(1)
Spurs scorer:-
Pedro Porro, 26
Eintracht scorer:-
Ekitike, 6
Attendance:- 57,849
Referee:- Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistants:- Tomasz Listkiewicz & Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth official:- Pawel Raczkowski POL
VAR:- Alejandro Hernandez ESP
Assistant VAR:- Cesar Soto Grado ESP
Teams:-
Spurs (4-3-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero, 37. Van de Ven, 13. Udogie (sub 24. Spence, 79); 15. Bergvall, 30. Bentancur, 10. Maddison (sub 29. Sarr, 79); 22. Johnson, 19. Solanke (sub 9. Richarlison, 88), 7. Son (Capt.) (sub 11. Tel, 80)
(Armband to Romero)
Subs not used:- 40. Austin, 41. Whiteman (GKs); 33. Davies; 8. Bissouma, 14. Gray, 47. Moore; 28. Odobert
Booked:- Tel (Dissent)
Eintracht (4-2-3-1):- 40. Santos; 13. Kristensen, 35. Tuta, 4. Koch (Capt.), 3. Theate; 15. Skhiri, 16. Larsson; 19. Bahoya (sub 8. Chaibi, 70), 27. Gotze (sub 20. Uzun, 90+1), 21. Brown (sub 29. Nkounkou, 90+1); 11. Ekitike (sub 17. Wahi, 89)
Subs not used:- 33. Grahl, 42. Silijevic (GKs); 5. Amenda, 34. Collins, 22. Chandler; 18. Dahoud, 47. Fenyo; 30 Batshuayi
Booked:- Bahoya (foul on Son), Kristensen (foul on Udogie)
Europa League quarter-final in the balance
Spurs fell to an early goal by Eintracht Frankfurt's current top scorer Hugo Ekitike and equalised with an excellent Pedro Porro goal (his first club goal in Europe). Early in the second half, in a ten minute blitz, we hit the woodwork twice and goalkeeper Kaua Santos made some excellent saves to deny Spurs a deserved win. We travel to Frankfurt next week for a challenging second leg, but the tie could still go either way.
As expected, Micky van de Ven returned, and his pace, coupled with defensive skills was to the fore. Djed Spence made way for Udogie, but otherwise the Spurs starting line-up was the same as Sunday's side against Southampton.
There was a rumour before the game that Wilson Odobert was feared to have suffered another hamstring injury, but he was on the bench, although unused.
There was a full contingent of Eintracht fans and with their scarf waving and repertoire of chants, their presence was heard throughout the game. One of their chants was to the tune of Verdi's "March of Aida!" The home fans got behind the team, and I didn't hear one anti-Levy chant all night.
Once again, with the sun setting, the game was preceded by a light show, "Born Slippy" and the trumpet-led "Oh when the Spurs."
The visitors kicked off playing towards the South Stand and had an early half-chance through Ekitike. Micky van de Ven that came to nought. However, after James Maddison lost possession in the Eintracht half, the ball was swept to Ekitike, who cut inside from the left before beating Vicario to his left with a 22-yard low right-footed shot.
Spurs responded and won a free kick, but that was swung in by Maddison into the goalkeeper's arms. The keeper also picked up a cross by Son, after he got to the bye-line. Santos also held a header by Solanke after a Maddison-Son move on the left. Next up was Udogie with a cross, but that was cleared. Solanke crossed from the left and Johnson headed over at the back post.
Spurs' attacking focus was certainly concentrated down the left side, and that paid off with an excellent equaliser. Maddison provided the final pass after good play by Solanke and Son, before Pedro Porro scored with a clever flick past the keeper.
Spurs had a free kick after a foul on Udogie. Maddison and Son dwelt on the ball, but it turned out being another foul-up kick with Son over-hitting the cross. After a decent midfield win by Bergvall, he fed the ball to Son, but Santos held the cross. For some reason, Spurs had not been using Johnson on the right.
Vicario got down to hold another Ekitike effort just before the referee's prompt half-time whistle.
Spurs were out first and kicked off the second half. Santos held a cross by Pedro Porro and then a cross-shot from the left by Udogie worried the keeper but passed wide.
Bergvall showed great skill after receiving the ball in the middle before he turned and aimed a right-footed shot at the top left corner. The ball rebounded off the bar with the keeper beaten. Udogie's attempted follow-up was held.
Son received a pass from Solanke to his right and Santos made a great flying save to deny the captain. After the corner, taken from the right, Bentancur's headed went out off the top of the bar. Santos saved again, this time from Maddison, to concede another corner.
Bahoya had a chance in front of the travelling fans after a ball from his right, but he fired over.
Bentancur had another headed chance following a Pedro Porro corner, but this one was held by Santos. It was late in the game before Postecoglou made changes but there was a triple change of Spence for Udogie, Tel for Son, and Sarr for Maddison.
Spence got down the line on the left and hit a good cross, but that was skied by Johnson. He should have done better. Bergvall fed the ball to Tel who hit a powerful shot. He was adamant the keeper took a touch and was booked for dissent, with the result being a goal-kick.
Richarlison replaced Solanke with minutes remaining. It was his first appearance for two months. Spurs had a great chance in added time when Bentancur headed back a Pedro Porro free kick across goal and Van de Ven's bouncing header was held by the Frankfurt keeper.
Spurs' season, and probably our coach's future hang on next week's result. Despite what will be a hostile atmosphere, I expect the game to be played in similar style, and that the result could go either way.
. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
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