Tuesday in Frankfurt, Tottenham’s head coach Antonio Conte bemoaned his team’s lack of offensive firepower following a scoreless Champions League draw.
The Tottenham striking pair of Harry Kane and Son Hueng-min, who scored a combined 40 goals in the 2021-22 Premier League season, missed several clear opportunities and were regularly booed by the home crowd.
While Conte praised his team’s performance in front of the Frankfurt fans, he lamented the wastefulness of his forwards.
Conte stated, “We need to be more clinical.”
“Football is straightforward: to win, you must score.”
Just prior to kickoff, word spread across the arena that unbeaten group leader Sporting Lisbon had lost 4-1 against Marseille, meaning that with a victory, either team could tie for first place.
The Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada, deputizing for the injured Mario Goetze, orchestrated Frankfurt’s early dominance of the contest.
Captain Sebastian Rode had the finest opportunity for the home team in the first half when he was set up just to the right of the penalty spot in the 18th minute, but Spurs midfielder Ivan Perisic blocked his goal-bound drive with his head.
“When creating opportunities, one must be practical.”
The response of the boss to tonight’s sketch picture.
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4 October 2022 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
Tottenham appeared more at ease as the first half progressed, perhaps shaking off the lingering effects of their humiliating 3-1 derby loss to Arsenal on the weekend – their first of the Premier League season.
Kane had the greatest opportunities for the visitors in the first half, but the England captain misfired when provided with an open net in the 39th minute.
Son, who is normally Kane’s strike partner, took matters into his own hands one minute later, but his attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Ansgar Knauff, on loan from Dortmund, attempted an acrobatic finish when one-on-one with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Loris, but was unsuccessful in the early parts of the second half. Frankfurt exploded out of the blocks after halftime.
Lindstrom had another excellent opportunity to score in the 60th minute, but he blasted the ball over the crossbar despite minimal defensive pressure from Tottenham.
Kane received a yellow card with five minutes remaining for a tackle on Makoto Hasebe, which contributed to the mounting frustration.
Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner praised “world-class” goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and stated that his team “could live with a point” following a difficult week in which they overcame previously unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin 2-0.
“Of course Tottenham is the favorite (in the group), this offensive is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe,” Glasner remarked in anticipation of the rematch in London next week.
“It is essential to successfully handle them and the few openings Antonio’s team provides.”
Work is the only secret we keep.
Both teams earned a point and are now tied in the standings, making the return match on October 12 in London all the more significant.
Conte stated that his team, which competed in the Europa Conference League last year, must remember how far they have come.
“Last season, we accomplished a tremendous feat by qualifying for the Champions League.
“To improve and grow stronger as a team, we must take the time to build and progress incrementally.
“We are competitive as a result of our hard work… Only this is our secret.”
AFP