Thomas Frank Walks Off at Full-Time — Then Drops a Shocking Revelation
Thomas Frank could not hide his pride after watching his side clinch an emphatic place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, finishing fourth in the league phase following an impressive 2–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday night.
At Deutsche Bank Park, Tottenham dominated proceedings with confidence and control from the opening whistle. They even had a goal ruled out within the first two minutes, highlighting the intensity of their early pressure, while Frankfurt struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the contest.
The deadlock was broken soon after the interval when Randal Kolo Muani struck against his former club in the 47th minute, silencing the home crowd. Dominic Solanke then wrapped up the win with a clinical finish in the 77th minute, underlining Spurs’ authority.
The numbers told the same story of dominance. Tottenham registered 15 shots to Frankfurt’s four, with Hugo Larsson’s effort off the crossbar just before half-time being the hosts’ only real moment of danger. Defensively, Spurs were solid, with the 3-4-3 formation proving effective both at the back and going forward.
Cristian “Cuti” Romero was named UEFA’s Player of the Match for his commanding display in defence, while Xavi Simons once again stood out with clever movement and link-up play that consistently unsettled Frankfurt’s backline.
The wider picture makes Tottenham’s achievement even more impressive. Over eight Champions League matches, they recorded five wins, suffered just one defeat against holders Paris Saint-Germain, and kept six clean sheets. Remarkably, they managed this despite being without 14 senior players due to injuries and eligibility issues, with several others forced to play through fitness problems.
Next, Spurs will meet either Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus, or Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16 in March, with the return leg scheduled at home. The draw will take place after the February play-off round.
After the match, Frank praised his players and the club: He said he was extremely proud of the team’s achievement, describing a fourth-place finish in the league phase as a major success, especially given the number of big clubs that failed to reach the top eight. He also highlighted the significance of collecting 17 points and six clean sheets.
Frank also spoke about the physical challenges facing his squad, revealing that only around 12 senior outfield players were available for the recent games against Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund, with many players pushing themselves despite not being fully fit.
Reflecting on the performance, he explained that his team controlled the game from start to finish, combining high pressing, solid defending, and long spells of possession with the creation of quality chances.
On tactics, Frank noted that the 3-4-3 system has been effective in recent matches, while admitting there is still room for improvement, particularly in quicker ball movement down the flanks.
He concluded by thanking the travelling supporters for their incredible backing, saying their energy helped drive the team to victory and stressing that the focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for the upcoming weekend fixture.