Match report: Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Spurs 0 (exhausting)
I don’t know what to report on first, the journey or the game.
Ok, let us do it in chronological order.
Mel and I flew out on Tuesday morning to Frankfurt and got there at about 8ish in the morning. A quick train journey to where we were staying. There was a rule that we had to wear face masks on public transport, and the locals did… but we didn’t.
Our Frankfurt tickets allowed us to use the train for free.
From the train station to our borstal-style hostel/ hotel placement. But nothing doing, we had to come back at 2 pm to book in.
We made our way to O’Reilly’s (O’really!) pub (for Spurs supporters) and chatted to a jock about everything except football (he was there on business). Yes, we talked about Scottish independence, the current state of our politics (Conservatives running the country etc.); drinks were exchanged, and then we walked back to our hotel, where we met one of the Spurs stewards on the way and chatted.
From there, we made our way to a Cider House, where we met Tim (from our group). Then we went on to find a Greek restaurant that Janet had booked. Once there, we had some greek nosh (with Janet, Tim, Mel, Kevin, Kevin’s friend, and yours truly).
From there, the fun started. I was still in a special boot and on crutches. We were told that the stadium was 15 minutes away. It took us 45 minutes, with my foot killing me. I’ll think twice before attempting a marathon on crutches. But the fun didn’t stop once we reached the stadium, oh, no! I had to walk up what seemed like climbing Jacob’s ladder with a very poorly leg (the lifts didn’t work). Finally, we got to the top. There were a lot of empty Spurs seats, both where I was (in the neutral zone) and where the Spurs supporters were stabled together like sheep. But I was safely in my seat resting and away from the Spurs stockpile area. Then the show started.
Their crowd made such a uniformed show/ noise that dwarfed anything we had to offer, and we seemed to have nothing, at least from where I was sitting. Their flags were out in full swing.
But an excellent atmosphere.
Then pomp and ceremony started.
Because there were so many seats available, Mel came over to where I was sitting to enjoy the spectacular.
The game.
We had 56% of the possession, more shots than they did, but on target, just two each.
I think we were all pleased to see our side creating chances against the German team, but we must accept that we needed to become more clinical after we were held to a goalless draw in the Champions League Group D game.
We very much wanted to respond after losing our Premier League game against the shit stirrers, that is, the Woolwich Mugswampers. Yes, it was a largely excruciatingly display; we were let down by poor finishing.
Harry Kane came agonisingly close to turning in a Son cross before whipping a shot wide in the first half, while Ivan Perisic saw a deflected strike go just wide of the far post before the break.
Even though we were the better side, Frankfurt did have some chances. Hugo Lloris needed a smart save to deny Ansgar Knauff’s volley from close range, and Jesper Lindstrom drove over from a good position.
Conte’s comments: “It was a good match. We played with great intensity, I think we need to be more clinical. We created many, many chances to score. It’s not easy to play away with this atmosphere, I think my players coped with that well. In football, you have to score. I think for the big effort for the whole team, maybe we deserved much more. The most important thing for me is to create chances.”
Yes, a very frustrating day, but we live to fight another day.
After the game, we made our way down the flight of stairs in one piece… then the long walk to the station, which was a bloody long walk. Exhaustion set in quickly. But I must admit Mel was very helpful in supporting me.
Even though the stadium bowl was brilliant, the outside was a shit hole. Rubbish everywhere… plenty of beer on sale, inside and outside, though. And merchandise everywhere, except what I wanted; a programme (which the Europeans seem not to do and a Frankfurt pendant).
As for the rubbish everywhere around the stadium, so was most of Frankfurt, itself, except the richer areas, which had some qualities (but very limited).
At the station, Mel and I witnessed the Spurs supporters marching to their part of the station (a couple of platforms away from us), singing songs etc. It was a pity they didn’t show their vocal sport inside the stadium (and if they say they did, then it was done very quietly).
Once on the train and shaking hands with Frankfurt supporters (most weren’t wearing face masks), we finally got to our destination, then a taxi ride to our hotel/ grovel. Once in our rooms, we went straight to sleep. We slept as we felt, knackered. In the morning, Mel knocked on my door at 10.45 am. Then breakfast. After that, we went to the more lavish area of Frankfurt and met up with Janet, Kevin and his friend. Then we split, and Mel and I got something to eat (salad for me, as I was on a diet… the same as the previous day, at the Greek restaurant).
It was an exhausting two days. Overall, Mel and I had a good time and a good laugh. As I said to Mel (when we were in the car on the way home), we would have been certified if anybody was recording our conversation.
Thoughts
The draw means we are second in Group D with four points after three games, two points behind leaders Sporting Lisbon, who lost 4-1 at Marseille earlier on Tuesday. Eintracht Frankfurt are level on points with us but in third place on goal difference.
After losing our last Champions League game 2-0 to Sporting and 3-1 to the Woolwich in the north London derby at the weekend, we expected a better response from our team in Germany.
Conte gave the same XI players who started against the Gooners the chance to make amends, but initially, the energetic hosts started strongly.
Eintracht Frankfurt had us pegged back in their own half at times, but as the game wore on, we took control, showing more urgency and improved passing.
Kane and Son’s link-up was also encouraging, with the latter providing his team-mate with two good opportunities in the first half, but Kane could not make the most of either. We struggled to build on that in the second half, but with back-to-back home games coming up in the Champions League, this should be seen as a good point as we hopefully will progress from the group stage.
A good game but a poor result, nevertheless, we had a great time and a good laugh in Germany.
Brighton is up next (away).
COYS!
Glenn
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”