Hope is still not lost for Ange Postecoglou even if, on another night, the Tottenham manager might have been celebrating a wonder-goal from the outstanding Lucas Bergvall as his side looked forward to next week’s second leg in Germany with a healthy advantage.
But it is a reflection of how things have been going for Postecoglou that somehow Spurs did not manage to win this game after conceding an early goal to the in-demand Hugo Ekitiké. Despite Bergvall’s best efforts, as the 19-year-old covered every blade of grass for the cause in a performance that belied his age, they could not build on Pedro Porro’s improvised back-heeled equaliser as Eintracht Frankfurt held on for a draw that will probably make them favourites to progress to the semi-finals.
Yet after all the bitterness of recent weeks, at least this was a positive performance from Tottenham that maintains their manager’s hopes of ending the season with silverware and perhaps keeping his job.
Postecoglou had bristled beforehand at suggestions that he could be sacked even if Spurs end up winning this competition for the third time in their history. Other than a lapse of concentration at the start that made their task even harder against a Frankfurt side who came to frustrate, only the woodwork denied Tottenham the victory they probably deserved as Micky van de Ven came close to finding a winner in injury time.
“I’m resigned to the fact that the football Gods have got their eyes elsewhere this year – they’re obviously busy with other clubs and other managers so whatever we get we’re going to have to do it without them,” said Postecoglou. “If we can perform like that over there then we will give ourselves a good chance.”
There had not been much optimism to be found at kick-off among a fanbase that has become so used to disappointment in recent years. While Tottenham’s successes in 1972 and 1984 date back to its predecessor the Uefa Cup, Dino Toppmöller’s side also have serious pedigree at this level having triumphed under Oliver Glasner – the Crystal Palace manager who was linked to a potential move across London to replace Postecoglou this week – in 2022.
Their vociferous travelling support did not have to wait long for something to celebrate. Much has been made of Tottenham’s injuries at the back this season but with their first-choice defence available again and Rodrigo Bentancur back after suspension, it was all too easy for Frankfurt to cut through in the sixth minute when Ellyes Skhiri won the ball from James Maddison.
Ekitiké scored a brilliant hat-trick for France Under 21s against England last month and is expected to attract interest from Arsenal and Liverpool among others in the summer. On this evidence, the 22-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain striker could be a shrewd investment as he cut in from the left flank and shrugged off challenges from Porro and Cristian Romero before shooting into the corner.
Maddison made up for his early discretion by supplying the pass that set up Porro for his equaliser after Spurs had initially struggled to mount a response. The Spaniard’s brilliant back-heel after good work from Dominic Solanke in the buildup finally brought the home fans to life. But Ekitiké could easily have scored his second of the night had he capitalised on a slip from Porro on the stroke of half-time, only to shoot straight at Guglielmo Vicario.
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The Tottenham defence were almost caught napping again at the start of the second half when Frankfurt found space down the right after a flowing move involving Germany’s 2014 World Cup hero Mario Götze. Thank goodness for Spurs that Bergvall – 13 years his junior – sprinted back to clear the danger just in time. The Swedish teenager had been by far Tottenham’s most creative player and he was desperately unlucky not to give his side the lead when he let fly from 30 yards out after beating two players with a sublime touch, only for a swerving shot to cannon off the angle of post and crossbar.
Quick GuideRoundup: Lazio freeze at Bodø/Glimt
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Two goals from Ulrik Saltnes [pictured] spurred Bodø/Glimt to a 2-0 home victory over Serie A giants Lazio in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, with the one-sided encounter played out in freezing conditions.
Snow had blanked the artificial pitch overnight in northern Norway, and although it was cleared in time for kick-off, the Italians struggled to adapt to zero-degree conditions, spending much of the match on the defensive. Lazio registered just one shot on target as the hosts attacked time and time again.
Aiming to become the first Norwegian team ever to reach a European semi-final, Bodø/Glimt took the lead two minutes after half-time when Saltnes finished at close range following a precise pass from Ole Didrik Blomberg. The hosts made more opportunities and scored their second goal in the 69th minute.
Saltnes was played through and he lofted the ball over Christos Mandas. Although Alessio Romagnoli managed to clear his shot, the ball had already crossed the line. Saltnes came close to scoring a hat-trick in the final minutes but Mandas made a crucial save to keep Lazio in touch before next week’s return leg.
In the Conference League, Real Betis took a step towards the semi-finals with a 2-0 home win over Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok. Cédric Bakambu broke the deadlock after running on to Pablo Fornals’ pass, with youngster Jesús Rodríguez curling home the hosts’ second goal just before half-time.
Fiorentina, losing finalists in 2023 and 2024, are on track to face Betis in the final four after earning a 2-1 over Celje in Slovenia. Luca Ranieri struck from a tight angle to put La Viola ahead, with Rolando Mandragora adding a second from the spot before Logan Delaurier-Chaubet scored a penalty for the hosts.
Rapid Vienna edged to a 1-0 away win over Djurgården, with Hampus Finndell’s own goal the difference in Sweden. The Austrian side are favourites to book a semi-final against Chelsea, who eased to a 3-0 win at Legia Warsaw.
That proved to be the spark for the hosts as Son Heung-min forced Kauã Santos into his first significant save of the evening before Bentancur’s header from the resulting corner came back off the bar. The Frankfurt goalkeeper then did well to keep out Maddison’s effort following a swivel inside the area.
Postecoglou prowled his technical area as Tottenham went in search of a winner, although it was a surprise to see him wait until the 79th minute before making a triple substitution. A combination of Mathys Tel and Djed Spence set up Brennan Johnson but his effort was way off target and Postecoglou reacted by burying his head in his hands. It was that kind of night.
