The message coming out of Eintracht Frankfurt suggests that the German side are very clear about what to expect in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
If you look at where Spurs and Frankfurt sit in their respective league tables, you might be tempted to say that the Bundesliga side are massive favourites for this quarterfinal.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  TottenhamTottenham | 31 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 58 | 45 | 13 | 37 |
However, Ange Postecoglou’s men know that their entire season is now riding on the Europa League, and they have many of their important players fit, which is not a luxury they have had for much of the season.
Spurs will want to get a win in the first leg to boost their chances of progressing to the final four and their opponents are very clear about what to expect from the home side.
Eintracht Frankfurt director sheds light on game plan against Tottenham
Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche has been speaking to the German media ahead of the huge showdown and he explains what sort of game the Bundesliga side are expecting.
Krosche admitted that the away side have to be prepared to defend resolutely and withstand the Tottenham pressure, but suggested that they can hurt the North London side on the counter-attack.
He told Wednesday’s print edition of Bild Frankfurt (as relayed by Sport Witness): “On the one hand, they have to defend consistently and well to stop these dangerous strikers because Tottenham certainly won’t let us dictate the game. And on the other hand, they have to prepare our counter-attacking moments when we win the ball.”
Frankfurt’s ‘mentality monsters’ expected to stop Spurs
Bild’s editorial team then offer their own take on what Frankfurt need to do to get the better of Tottenham Hotspur.
They say that the club’s experienced defensive trio, Arthur Theate, Robin Koch, and Rasmus Kristensen, will have a busy evening on Thursday. They are described as ‘mentality monsters’ and are backed to keep Tottenham at bay.
Krosche himself even refers to them as ‘bodyguards’ to protect the Frankfurt goal against Heung-min Son, Dominic Solanke, and co.
The publication also warns that Frankfurt players will have to use all their experience with a ‘cauldron’ atmosphere expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou provides perfect Tottenham injury news ahead of Europa League quarter-final