LONDON – At the end of the match, it felt as though Tottenham had let points slip away. They displayed resilience after an early setback, yet were thwarted time and again by Kaua Santos, the backup goalkeeper for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Although Santos made multiple key saves, Tottenham had opportunities to convert, with Micky van de Ven coming close to scoring late in the game. The Spurs were buoyed by an energized home crowd until the tide shifted after Lucas Bergvall made a powerful strike that unfortunately hit the post.

The match began with a lackluster start for Tottenham, but they rallied back to look like the more proactive team. Manager Postecoglou found himself contemplating whether fresh legs would have shifted the game in their favor, as late substitutions may have rekindled their attacking strength.

While Spurs must aim to replicate their second-half performance in the upcoming leg, they need to eliminate loose passes and maintain their composure to stand a chance. Postecoglou expressed frustration over the missed chances but acknowledged the players’ improved display.

“I guess a little bit frustrated by the result. I thought the performance in general was really, really good from the boys.”
Translation: The coach noted that the team showed excellent effort despite the disappointing outcome.

With the tide turning in the tie, Tottenham needs determination as they head to Germany for the return leg.