Tottenham return to European action this week with Thomas Frank preparing his side for a tricky Champions League test against Bodo/Glimt.
It was undoubtedly a frustrating draw for Thomas Frank’s side against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, a result that halted any momentum they might have hoped to carry forward in the Premier League.
Attention now turns to the Champions League, where Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory in their opening tie of the competition and will be looking to make it two wins out of two in the league phase.
Bodo/Glimt await, and it is a familiar opponent for Spurs, with the North London club having been ruthless when the two sides last met, claiming a dominant 5-1 aggregate win under Ange Postecoglou.
Thomas Frank speaks about Tottenham playing on an artificial pitch
When asked about injury worries associated with playing on an artificial pitch, Thomas Frank said (Tottenham Official): “No, not a tactical approach. Of course, we’re aware, it’s the same in Denmark, we faced teams on a different surface. It’s fine, they’re good here – they’re good at home.
“There’s a lot of talk about the pitch, but I want to praise the team. Lucas has played on them, lots of our players have played on them, but the players just want to talk about football.”
On the decision to train in North London instead of Norway the day before the game, Frank explained: “It was mainly a tactical decision.”
On Bodo/Glimt, Frank added: “Their structure and the way they play. The patterns and style. Last year, we had to defend well, they’re so good and clear in how they do things. They play quick on this pitch.
“Last year it was a fairytale. Now to be a force in Norway, it’s remarkable what they’ve done, their style of play is unique, extremely well-coached team. That was one performance; it was four months ago, I was not the coach.
“This is a new game, a new situation, we go into it with huge respect. They’re home record here is very good, so we know what we’re facing but we have trust in ourselves.”
Spurs must be wary of Bodo/Glimt threat
Bodo/Glimt will be no pushover this time around as they come into this Champions League clash on the back of a 3-1 victory in their previous domestic outing against Odd.
The Norwegian outfit will also be eager to register their first Champions League win this season in this tie, following their opening round draw with Slavia Prague.
Spurs will need to be switched on from the first whistle, particularly after the setback against Wolves, because a slow start on Tuesday could leave them chasing yet another match and struggling to assert themselves against an opponent that thrives on intensity and sharp transitions.