 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min failed to lead the team to victory as he was blocked from shooting.
Tottenham drew 1-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Europa League (UEL) quarterfinals in 2024-2025 season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on the 11th (Korea time). Tottenham does not win at home, and must win against Frankfurt in the second leg on the road to advance to the semifinals.
It was an important game for Tottenham this season. Tottenham, which has fallen to 14th place in the league this season and has been eliminated from all domestic cup competitions, has the last remaining chance to win the championship. If he is eliminated, he will finish this season without a medal. Coach Enze Postecoglou's fate is also on the line. There was even news that Tottenham's leadership would replace Postecoglou if he was eliminated from the UEL.
Tottenham launched a 4-3-3 formation. Son Heung-min started as a left winger, and Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson built the offense together. James Maddison, Lucas Beribal and Rodrigo Bentancur matched the midfield. The four backs included Jed Spence, Mickey Panderpen, Christian Romero and Pedro Porro. The goal was guarded by Guglielmo Vicario.
Frankfurt faced off with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Hugo Ekitike was supported on the front line, and Jean Bahoya, Mario Goetze and Hugo Larsson were supported on the second line. The third line was formed by Tuta and Elis Shikiri. Nathaniel Brown, Artur Teate, Robin Koch, and Rasmus Christensen were among the defense teams. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Kaan Santus.
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
Frankfurt led early on with the first goal. In the 6th minute of the first half, Ekitike, who caught the ball from the left side in a counterattack, broke through directly to the front of the penalty box arc and then attempted a low and fast mid-range shot in front of Tottenham's defense. The ball penetrated through the defense and was inserted into the lower right of Tottenham's goal. Vicario was beyond his control.
Tottenham, who allowed the first run, raised the line to counterattack. In the 11th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min grabbed the ball from the left and crossed, but the goalkeeper caught the ball as it was. After Son Heung-min's cross in the 12th minute of the first half, Solanke's header headed into the goalkeeper's arms.
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
Tottenham opened the Frankfurt goal through the offensive. Solanke, who received Son Heung-min's pass from deep on the right side of the penalty box in the 26th minute of the first half, gave the ball to Madison. Madison attempted a cutback pass after breaking through with defense. The prisoner, who was waiting at the gate, finished with a sensational backheel shot, completely deceived Frankfurt's defense and goalkeeper, and the ball headed straight into the goal. In balance, Tottenham tried to turn the tables with continued attacks, but additional points were not easily scored.
Tottenham almost lost a dizzying point just before the end of the first half. The ball that flowed into the center of the box in the first half of extra time was directed to Ekittike as it was. With the defender missing all of Ekittike, the shot he tried was directed to Vicario and overcame the crisis. The two teams finished 1-1 in the first half.
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
Frankfurt was the first team to take the lead in the second half. In the fifth minute of the second half, Tottenham's defense easily penetrated Frankfurt Pass, and Ekitike, who caught the ball inside the penalty box, tried to pass while contemplating shooting and passing. Fortunately, Romero, who was waiting in the box, blew himself out and blocked the ball.
Tottenham also created a threatening opportunity. In the 10th minute of the first half, Beribal quickly advanced in front of the opponent's box through de-pressure near the half-line. Veribal attempted a right-footed mid-range shot without hesitation as there was space with the defense. The sharp shot swallowed the disappointment by hitting the Frankfurt goal post hard. Later, U Do-ki caught the ball again in the box, but the goalkeeper grabbed the pass.
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
Son Heung-min also attempted a sharp shot, but unfortunately missed the opportunity to score. In the 11th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min grabbed the ball from the left side of the penalty box and aimed for a shot opportunity. Son Heung-min, who advanced a little, immediately stabbed the corner of the opponent's goal with a right foot shot when he reached his position. However, Santos blew his body to the end and saved Son Heung-min's shot with his hand. In the ensuing attack opportunity, the goalkeeper also blocked Madison's powerful shot from the right side of the box.
Tottenham continued to aim for the Frankfurt goal. Bentancourt finished with a header from the prisoner's cross in the 27th minute of the second half in a corner kick, but the ball headed in front of the goalkeeper.
Tottenham chose to change by using a large number of replacement cards. In the 34th minute of the second half, Madison, Son Heung-min, and U Do-ki were excluded, and Papesar, Matistel and Jed Spence were put in. Son Heung-min finished without scoring until the match, and ended the match without scoring for 361 minutes after the match against Bournemouth on March 10.
Tottenham maintained its offensive until the end of the second half. In the 42nd minute of the second half, Johnson advanced to the right of the penalty box and continued his attack opportunity, but Johnson's low cross was caught by the goalkeeper before reaching Tell, who was waiting in front of the goal. He also lost a golden opportunity.In the second half of extra time, Van der Pen's shot following Bentancur's header failed to reach the ball from the free kick properly and blew the opportunity in front of the goal.
In the end, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
