Tottenham Hotspur is set to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final without their captain and talisman, Son Heung-min. The South Korean forward has been sidelined due to a persistent foot injury that has troubled him over recent weeks.
Son’s absence was confirmed by manager Ange Postecoglou during a pre-match press conference. “Sonny didn’t travel in the end, he’s the only one that misses out,” Postecoglou stated. “He’s been battling with his foot problem for a few weeks now and managed through it. He trained the last few days, tried to train yesterday, and it wasn’t right, so we made the decision to leave him at home to allow him to recuperate.”
The tie remains finely balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Pedro Porro’s goal canceled out Hugo Ekitike’s early opener for Frankfurt. With the aggregate score level, Spurs must secure a win in Frankfurt to progress to the semi-finals.
Tottenham’s domestic form has been underwhelming this season, currently sitting 15th in the Premier League with 17 losses in 32 matches. The Europa League represents their last opportunity for silverware and European qualification. Postecoglou emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, stating, “You’re at a point where you have got an opportunity to get to the semi-finals of a major competition. Obviously, you know the challenge before you, and that’s the bit you’re excited about.”
Despite the setback of losing their captain, Tottenham will look to other key players to step up. Dejan Kulusevski’s return to the squad provides a boost, and the team will rely on the experience of players like Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario, both of whom are expected to start despite recent errors. Postecoglou praised their accountability and resilience, highlighting the squad’s determination to achieve success in Europe.
Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, will be without their captain and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who has failed to recover from injury. Kaua Santos is set to continue in goal for the German side. Frankfurt’s coach, Dino Toppmöller, dismissed suggestions that his team are favorites, stating, “It doesn’t matter whether any team is the favorite or not.”
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the outcome will not only determine who advances to the semi-finals but could also have significant implications for Tottenham’s season and Postecoglou’s tenure as manager. The match is set to take place at Deutsche Bank Park, with kick-off scheduled for Thursday night.
