Tottenham 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: On a night when Spurs manager Thomas Frank was desperate for a positive result, his side produced their best game of the season.
Thomas Frank smiles as Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund (Image: )
In the end, Thomas Frank got his much-needed and well-deserved fortune. It looked like this would be Frank’s last stand, but somehow Tottenham still managed to achieve their best result of the season, earning the manager a suspended sentence.
Whether it’s enough to save him for any length of time remains to be seen. Because it feels like the die has been cast, and even this outcome may only be delaying the inevitable.
But on what felt like one of the rare occasions this season, the fans really cheered on their team and the stadium came alive once again.
Borussia Dortmund were lucky after just 26 minutes when Daniel Svensson was sent off for an X-rated challenge following a VAR check, reducing them to 10 men.
Dortmund, second in the Bundesliga, were by far the best team Spurs have faced at home in the Champions League this season, but the German giants were still at a huge disadvantage for more than an hour.
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And even as Dominic Solanke tried his best to miss a clear chance, the ball dripped off his feet from close range.
It was Solanke’s first start of the season and his first under Frank, but his performance highlighted how much the team missed him as he was a strong focal point of the attack.
Tottenham were defiant, determined and gave a strong performance to their manager despite serious injuries and a 13-man absentee list.
Tottenham somehow crossed the line and showed that unity can be a powerful force, with their supporters quickly turning their pre-match jeers into cheers during the game. As it rained in north London, Frank got completely soaked on the touchline, but I’m sure he doesn’t mind one bit.
The manager insists the board still supports him and therefore believes this result marks a turning point for the team.
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Tottenham celebrate Dominic Solanke’s goal against Dortmund (Image: )
Tottenham’s hierarchy were in full force in their magnificent stadium, and even the crowd was an impressive 52,713, but this may have at least given them something to think about.
A loss would have been the end for sure, but a win would give Frank a reprieve until Saturday’s trip to Burnley, extending their unbeaten home run in Europe to 24 games, a streak that stretches back to February 2020.
It should also be enough to get them into the knockout stages of the Champions League, which is no mean feat in itself and will definitely improve the bank’s bottom line.
Tottenham took the lead in the 14th minute. Pedro Polo’s corner kick was not cleared and Wilson Oduberto had a shot but lofted a low cross for Cristian Romero to score from close range.
When Spurs captain Romero threw his arms in the air and excited the crowd, it suddenly felt as if all the negativity and doom had been washed away.
Tottenham players report to Underfire manager (Image: )
Dortmund were reduced to 10 men after Svensson’s reckless challenge on Odbert, Swedish referee Glenn Heiberg was sent to the VAR screen and the Dortmund midfielder was duly sent off.
And after 37 minutes, it really became clear that Tottenham had the advantage. Odbert’s low cross found Solanke to kick the ball, but Solanke did his best to miss the kick and the ball hit his leg and almost deflected over the line.
Lukas Bergvall was sidelined with an injury, but 17-year-old Junai Byfield, who made his first-team debut a month after signing his first professional contract, had some great moments, perhaps underscoring the lack of resources.
Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani actually had chances to make the game more comfortable, and despite the pressure and possession, Dortmund had little inclination to score until Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario tipped over Nico Schlotterbeck’s late header.
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