Tottenham Hotspur's chances of reaching the Europa League semifinals have been dealt a significant blow with captain Son Heung-min ruled out of the crucial second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt. Manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Son, who started and played 79 minutes in the 1-1 first-leg draw at home, will not travel with the team to Germany.
Son's Absence a Major Blow
Son's absence is a major setback for Tottenham, given his impressive form this season. The South Korean has played 41 games for the Spurs, scoring 11 goals and assisting 10 others. In the Europa League, he is the joint-top scorer with Brennan Johnson, having netted three goals.
Postecoglou's Update on Son's Condition
Postecoglou revealed that Son trained yesterday but didn't feel right, and the decision was made to leave him out to recover. "Sonny didn't travel in the end. He's the only one who misses out. He trained yesterday but didn't feel right. We've left him out, and rest is the best way to recover," Postecoglou said.
Additional Absences
Tottenham will also be without Radu Dragusin, who is recovering from an ACL injury sustained in February. Kevin Danso is also expected to miss the game and won't return until next Monday at the earliest, when Spurs host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
High Stakes for Tottenham
The Europa League quarterfinal matchup against Frankfurt is crucial for Tottenham, who are chasing their first trophy since 2008. Winning the competition would not only bring silverware to the club but also secure automatic qualification to the Champions League for the 2025-26 season, ending a three-year absence from Europe's biggest club contest.
Tough Opponent Ahead
If Tottenham progresses to the semifinals, they will face either Bodo/Glimt or Lazio. The stakes are high, and Postecoglou's team will need to perform at their best to overcome the challenges ahead.
Can Tottenham Overcome the Absence of Son?
Despite the absence of their captain, Tottenham will look to other players to step up and make a difference. The team has shown resilience and determination this season, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to this setback. With the Europa League semifinals within reach, Tottenham will need to dig deep and find a way to overcome Frankfurt without their star player.
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