Tottenham welcome Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
It should be cause for optimism for the north London side. Spurs occupy a playoff spot in the league phase and sit just two points off the top eight. Yet, the game against the German side could prove the final nail in the coffin of Thomas Frank’s ill-fated spell in charge.
Spurs are facing mounting calls to relieve Frank of his duties. Saturday’s late 2-1 loss to rivals West Ham was the straw that broke the camel’s back for everyone bar the club’s decision makers. Frank has at least done one thing. He’s united a fanbase that was split on whether Ange Postecoglou’s sacking last summer was the right move.
In this article, we’ll analyse the following players:
However, Tuesday’s game against Dortmund could get ugly both on and off the pitch. Supporters aren’t happy and options are limited for Frank. Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus take up spots in the physio room.
Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and new signing Conor Gallagher aren’t registered. Micky van de Ven is suspended. Pape Sarr was part of the Senegal squad that went the distance at AFCON. Conversely, Dortmund are effectively at full-strength. The German side have lost just three competitive games this season. If Spurs fans want a modicum of hope, two of these defeats came from home.
Even so, Dortmund should have enough to beat this beleaguered Spurs side. Ahead of the game, we’ve picked out their key men who’ll be vital as the German giants seek a huge three points
Defence – Nico Schlotterbeck
Borussia Dortmund have their European defensive issues. They have conceded 13 Champions League goals this season but head coach Niko Kovac is able to call upon one of Europe’s best centre-backs in Nico Schlotterbeck. The German, who has been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, is a ball-playing beast from the back.
Of the 351 players to have started at least four Champions League games, Schlotterbeck’s 92.3% pass accuracy ranks 33rd in the competition. While the 26-year-old is an effective operator off the ball, it’s his distribution that’ll be key against this pragmatic Spurs side. If given the time and space to play the line-breaking passes, then the north London outfit will be in for a rough 90 minutes.
Midfield – Felix Nmecha
One of those who’ll benefit from Schlotterbeck’s distribution is midfielder Felix Nmecha. The 25-year-old has been a handy goal threat from deep for Dortmund this season, scoring three times in the Champions League. In addition, Nmecha has created 10 chances, more than any other Dortmund player. His teammates’ profligacy is the reason he doesn’t have an assist to his name.
Given Spurs’ midfield issues, Nmecha is one who really stands to benefit from the Premier League side’s ongoing absentee problems. The powerhouse German is incredibly difficult to shake off the ball. This press resistance will enable Nmecha to push forward with ease as Dortmund seek to peg Spurs back.
Attack – Karim Adeyemi
Having been linked with a January move to Spurs, Karim Adeyemi may just give the north London giants the runaround in the capital this week. Injuries haven’t aided the 24-year-old in Dortmund. And yet, he’s a handy attacking option to head coach Kovac in his favoured 3-4-2-1 setup.
Adeyemi has the freedom to drive forward to punch a hole in opposition backlines from the right. Indeed, he’s completed more take ons (11) than any other Dortmund player in the 2025-26 Champions League season. With two goals and two assists to his name, Adeyemi has the means to slalom through Spurs side and put the defence to the sword.
Attack – Serhou Guirassy
The focal point to this Borussia Dortmund attack. Serhou Guirassy has been their star forward in their push to progress to the next round of the Champions League. The 29-year-old has three goals and two assists to his name in the competition this season. Unsurprisingly, he ranks top for shots (11) of all Dortmund players this term.
Additionally, he’s a dominant frontman. The physical side to his game means Dortmund are able to go direct if needs must. Just as he is top for shots for the German side, Guirassy has also won more aerial duels (11) than any other player under Kovac. Given this Spurs side are hapless at defending attacks from the flanks, getting the ball wide for the wing-backs to put crosses into the box for Guirassy is another route to goal for the Bundesliga outfit.
