Tottenham are gearing up to face Manchester City at home in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur dropped more points in the Premier League last weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a lowly Burnley side. The Clarets were only minutes away from pulling off a shock result, only for Cristian Romero to pop up out of nowhere and score a bullet header to rescue a point for Thomas Frank’s side.
A depleted Spurs squad then travelled to Germany to play Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League in midweek. Thomas Frank and Co. enjoyed a comfortable evening at Deutsche Park, beating Frankfurt 2-0 and advancing to the knockout rounds of the Champions League. It was an impressive showing from the north London side, even without several key players on the sidelines.
Attention quickly turns to the Premier League, where Tottenham will be hosting Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Thomas Frank’s boys beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in August, and they must be raring to do a league double on Sunday.
Tottenham are preparing for a mouthwatering Premier League clash vs. Manchester City at home
Tottenham are preparing for a mouthwatering Premier League clash vs. Manchester City at home
Thomas Frank opens up on facing this version of Manchester City
Manchester City have been the best team in England for the best part of the last 10 years. They’ve backed Pep Guardiola wholeheartedly in the transfer market, and the Spaniard has brought the club rich success all these years. The Man City chiefs have signed on Premier League proven talents Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi in this winter transfer window, building on a squad that was reinforced in the summer by the acquisitions of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
When asked about Pep Guardiola and facing his Man City side from this season, Frank explained in his press conference.
“Pep is the best coach in the world. He proved that many times. I think what he’s done over the years is he’s extremely innovative. He’s always changing and, how can I say, playing around with positions, offensive positions, different types and different positions.
“From going maybe wide wingers to a little bit more inside, depending on how he plays it, with the Cherki or Foden or Semenyo or Haaland or Reijnders. He’s playing around with different offensive positions.
“I think the City team now, when they’re in full flow, I think there’s a threat from so many angles that we need to be aware of, but I also see some areas that we hopefully can explore.”
Tottenham fans will be intrigued to see how Thomas Frank sets up his team against Man City
Tottenham fans will be intrigued to see how Thomas Frank sets up his team against Man City
Tottenham can beat this Man City side
For Frank and his players, playing at home has been a slog. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season has often been twitchy, with moans and groans from the fans becoming a regular sight due to a dull style of football under the Danish boss.
There is never a better time to play Pep’s City, and Sunday would be no different. After getting brushed aside in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, the Cityzens have won back-to-back games against Wolves and Galatasaray, respectively. After firing blanks in recent games, Haaland getting a goal against Galatasaray in midweek was huge.
With Haaland leading the City attack, Cristian Romero will have his hands full. City do have a galaxy of attacking talent, and Frank’s side have to be extremely disciplined and focused to keep them at bay. Having said that, Tottenham will get chances on the break. The spaces City’s high defensive line leaves behind can be exploited very well by the home side, only if Frank smartly sets up his side and the players execute his plan properly.