🔗 Share this article

Thomas Frank celebrated a positive Champions League debut thanks to a costly blunder by Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior.

Uncontested, the Villarreal player mishandled a Spurs player's cross into the goal, handing the home team a perfect beginning.

This was former Brentford boss the gaffer's debut fixture in the competition, but the team were tested at points before the break.

A crucial challenge by Van de Ven stopped one-time Arsenal player Nicolas Pepe from curling in, while Tajon Buchanan sent a shot wide.

But only a save by Junior prevented the hosts from scoring a another when he saved the midfielder's strike.

The Spanish team came on strong in the second half, but the home side defended superbly to repel them.

The forward should have done better with a header as Spurs sought a security goal, but finally it was not needed.

Analysis: The Team Unconvincing but Backline Stands Out

This represented the victory the club desired on their comeback to the UCL, but it was far from a ideal performance.

Junior's regrettable blunder provided the home crowd roused and could have been the base for a strong performance, but that failed to materialise.

Spurs' start to the campaign has been impressive, with eye-catching wins against the Hammers and City, but there was also a disappointing performance in a defeat to another side.

The team displayed more similarities to that fixture with some weak phases of play and loose passes whenever they attacked.

Nevertheless, their defending was solid with Van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur making crucial tackles, particularly in the final period.

Victory means the club are now undefeated in their last 21 home games in continental competitions.

Player of the Match

Number: 37 the defender

Performance: 7.49

---

Related Topics

• European Football
• Spurs
• Soccer