Postecoglou's Night of Frustration: Tottenham's Missed Opportunity

Hope hasn’t entirely deserted Ange Postecoglou. There was a night when the Tottenham boss could’ve been relishing a stunning goal from the brilliant Lucas Bergvall as his squad geared up for next week’s clash in Germany with a commanding lead.

Yet, the evening’s outcome mirrored the ongoing challenges for Postecoglou, as Spurs failed to secure victory after surrendering an early lead to Hugo Ekitiké’s goal. Despite Bergvall’s tireless performance at just 19 years old, matching every expectation, they couldn’t extend Pedro Porro’s precise equalizer. The result left Eintracht Frankfurt holding tight for a draw, positioning them as likely favorites to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

At least, amid recent disappointments, Tottenham’s spirited display kept their manager’s aspirations alive of ending the season triumphantly and retaining his position.

Postecoglou was defensive against suggestions of dismissal should Spurs triumph in this tournament for the third time in their history, asserting that his team would maintain the focus needed to tackle formidable rivals under pressure. Still, optimism was scant among fans accustomed to heartbreak in recent years.

Frankfurt, despite a weekend loss to Werder Bremen, thanks largely to Omar Marmoush’s 15 goals before transferring to Manchester City in January, ranks third in the Bundesliga and is poised for Champions League qualification next season. While Tottenham fans remember victories from 1972 and 1984 in the predecessor UEFA Cup, Dino Toppmöller’s squad boasts strong European pedigrees following Oliver Glasner’s triumph in 2022, who, incidentally, has been speculated as a replacement for Postecoglou.

Tottenham’s vocal visiting fans didn’t have to wait long to cheer. Although injuries plagued Tottenham’s defense this season, with their first-choice defenders and Rodrigo Bentancur back post-suspension, Frankfurt easily breached them within six minutes. Ellyes Skhiri took the ball from James Maddison, enabling Ekitiké to strike impressively, showcasing a talent that’s garnering interest from clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool.

Maddison redeemed himself by assisting Porro’s equalizer, awakening the home crowd after a sluggish Spurs start. The Spaniard’s inventive backheel, following Dominic Solanke’s buildup, lit up the fans though Frankfurt’s defensive strategy hindered further breakthroughs. Ekitiké nearly doubled his tally just before half-time, exploiting a slip by Porro, only to fire directly at Guglielmo Vicario.

Spurs’ defense almost faltered early in the second half as Frankfurt advanced, assisted by Mario Götze. However, Bergvall rushed back to avert danger. The Swedish teenager, Tottenham’s most thrilling player, was unlucky when his blistering 30-yard effort clipped the woodwork.

That ignited Spurs into action, with Son Heung-min prompting Kauã Santos into an important save. Bentancur’s header from the impending corner hit the woodwork, and Frankfurt’s goalkeeper rebuffed Maddison’s twisting shot. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya missed a clear chance after Ekitiké’s surge once again troubled Spurs.

Postecoglou paced the sidelines, chasing a victory, waiting until the 79th minute for a triple substitution. A combination of Mathys Tel and Djed Spence paved way for Brennan Johnson’s best chance, but his shot strayed wide, leaving Postecoglou visibly upset, especially when Micky van de Ven’s header smashed the bar in added time. It just wasn’t Postecoglou’s night.