Tottenham Hotspur faces a tough challenge as they prepare for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal against Eintracht Frankfurt, set to kick off at 9 p.m. local time on April 18, 2025, at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany. The match comes with significant implications for Spurs, especially in light of the absence of their captain, Son Heung-min, who will miss this crucial encounter due to a foot injury.
Head coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed on April 16 that Son had not traveled with the team to Germany, a decision made after the South Korean forward struggled during training. "He's been battling with his foot problem for a few weeks now and managed through it," Postecoglou said during a press conference. "He trained the last few days. He tried to train yesterday, and it wasn't right, so we made the decision to leave him at home to allow him to recuperate and see the best mode of recovery for him." This news comes after Son also missed a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 13 due to the same issue.
In the first leg of the quarterfinals, which took place on April 10 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Eintracht Frankfurt took an early lead in that match with a goal from Hugo Ekitike in the sixth minute. However, Tottenham responded with an equalizer from Pedro Porro twenty minutes later. The return leg now poses a critical opportunity for Spurs to advance in the tournament, but they will have to do so without their key player.
The Europa League represents Tottenham's last chance to secure silverware this season, as they have already been eliminated from both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup, and they currently sit 15th in the Premier League standings with 37 points. Son, who joined Tottenham in 2015 after starting his professional career in Germany with Hamburger SV, is still searching for his first major trophy. This season, he has scored 11 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, marking his lowest tally since his debut season with the club.
As the match approaches, the spotlight will also be on Eintracht Frankfurt, who will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage. The German side is eager to replicate their performance from the first leg, where they managed to hold Spurs to a draw despite facing a strong opponent. The Waldstadion is expected to be a cauldron of noise as Frankfurt fans rally behind their team, hoping to see them through to the semifinals.
In terms of team line-ups, Eintracht Frankfurt is likely to field a strong side, with players such as Kaua Santos, Robin Koch, and Mario Gotze expected to play pivotal roles. Tottenham, on the other hand, will have to adjust their strategy without Son, potentially relying on players like Guglielmo Vicario in goal and James Maddison in midfield to step up in his absence.
Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching how Tottenham will respond to this setback. Will they find the resolve to overcome the odds and secure a spot in the semifinals, or will they falter without their captain leading the charge? The outcome of this match could define their season and set the tone for the future of the club.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, the excitement builds. Tottenham must dig deep and find a way to rally without one of their most influential players. Can they pull off a stunning performance in Frankfurt to stay in contention for the Europa League title? All eyes will be on the pitch as the Spurs aim to turn the tide in their favor.
