Tottenham – Borussia Dortmund: Spurs ease pressure on Thomas Frank with win over ten-man Dortmund (2-0)

Thomas Frank secured a massive victory as Tottenham Hotspur produced a disciplined display to overcome Borussia Dortmund 2-0. In a match shaped by an early red card and drastic structural shifts, Spurs’ clinical first half proved the difference. While Dortmund sought a way back through a series of tactical gambles by the break, Tottenham’s defensive organization remained impenetrable, lifting them to fourth in the Champions League standings.

Tactical analysis and match report by Aderemi Qoyum.

Under mounting pressure from a difficult domestic run, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham welcomed a high-scoring Dortmund side to North London. Spurs lined up in a fluid 4-2-3-1 that transitioned into a defensive five-man chain. Guglielmo Vicario started in goal, shielded by Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero, and Destiny Udogie. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall manned the double pivot, supporting Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, and Djed Spence, with Dominic Solanke returning to lead the line.

Borussia Dortmund initially mirrored a 3-4-2-1. Gregor Kobel stood behind Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini. The midfield four featured Yan Couto, Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, and Daniel Svensson, while Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi supported Serhou Guirassy.

 Dortmund’s aggressive opening

The opening ten minutes belonged to the visitors, as Dortmund looked to exploit Tottenham’s recent fragility with a suffocating high press. Kovač’s men were perfectly prepared to disrupt Spurs’ build-up from the source; Serhou Guirassy pressed Romero aggressively, while Julian Brandt stepped onto Danso and Karim Adeyemi engaged Udogie. This front-line pressure was backed by a man-for-man midfield orientation, as Dortmund’s pivot locked onto Archie . . .