Thomas Frank was visibly proud after watching his team secure a commanding qualification for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, finishing fourth in the league phase following a convincing 2–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday night.
At Deutsche Bank Park, the visitors displayed control, authority, and composure from start to finish. Tottenham even saw a goal disallowed inside the opening two minutes, a sign of the pressure they were applying, while keeping Frankfurt largely at bay throughout the match.
The breakthrough came shortly after the restart when Randal Kolo Muani, scoring against his former club in the 47th minute, deflated the home supporters. Dominic Solanke sealed the victory with a precise strike in the 77th minute, leaving no doubt about Tottenham’s superiority.
Statistics mirrored the dominance on the pitch.
Tottenham held a 15–4 shot advantage, while Frankfurt’s only real chance was Hugo Larsson’s effort that hit the crossbar just before half-time. The backline remained solid, with the 3-4-3 system functioning effectively in both defence and attack.
Cristian “Cuti” Romero earned UEFA’s Player of the Match for his commanding performance at the heart of defence, while Xavi Simons impressed again with intelligent movement and link-up play, continually troubling Frankfurt’s defensive structure.
The broader context makes this achievement even more remarkable. Across eight Champions League matches, Tottenham recorded five wins, only one defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain, and six clean sheets. This was accomplished despite missing 14 senior players due to injury and ineligibility, forcing others to play through fitness issues.
Looking ahead, Tottenham will face one of Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus, or Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16 in March, with the second leg at home. The draw will follow the February play-off round.
Speaking after the win, Frank praised both his squad and the club:
“I’m extremely proud of the team and the club. Finishing fourth in the Champions League league phase is a huge achievement. Considering how many big clubs didn’t make the top eight, earning 17 points and six clean sheets is outstanding. The players deserve enormous credit.”
He also acknowledged the physical strain on his squad:
“We only had around 12 senior outfield players available for this match and for last week’s game against Borussia Dortmund. Many had to push through despite not being fully fit, which shows the character, mentality, and unity of this group.”
On the team’s performance, Frank said:
“I think we controlled the game from start to finish. We pressed high well, defended deep when needed, and dominated possession for long stretches while creating quality chances. That’s an area we’ll continue to refine.”
He reflected on the tactical approach:
“The 3-4-3 has worked well in recent matches. There are always improvements to make, particularly in quicker ball movement down the sides, but we made good adjustments in progressing play, and overall there were many positives.”
Finally, Frank thanked the travelling fans:
“A huge thanks to our supporters. They came in large numbers, sang all night, and gave incredible encouragement. I’m delighted we could reward them with this win. Now, our focus is on recovery and preparing for Sunday.”
