TTLB Opinion: Why Dominic Solanke is crucial for Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for their big day as the midweek Thursday for the highly awaited Europa League semi-final comes across, where the Premier League heavyweights are set to face Norwegian giants Bodo/Glimt, and given the weight of the game, Ange Postecoglou will have to get his tactical balance right, and one that lays utmost importance is that of their marquee summer signing Dominic Solanke. This one is a game that promises a lot of intense battles in the middle of the park complemented by some chaos on transitions by both the clubs, but yet the importance of having a number nine of Big Dom’s ability cannot be overstated given how he is physically dominant and possesses that mobility which could end up being decisive.

When you see how Bodo are at the back, they are placed a bit aggressively, but they possess a lightweight defensive setup, and the Lilywhites need more than just pace or flair; they will have to bring their focal point to anchor their set of sequences, and this is precisely where Solanke’s presence will be crucial.

Why Dominic Solanke is crucial for Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt

If we go into the technical and tactical breakdowns on the whys behind this one, to start with, the visitors this midweek have a defence that are very comfortable with the ball at their feet, but they lack that true physical dominance. Given that they excel in space, but when they are forced into defending in the deeper zones and are forced into physical duels, they end up struggling. And having the former Bournemouth striker allows the North Londoners to pin their defenders at the back and prevent them from pushing high (if they push high, there is a chance that they end up suffocating midfield spaces for the Lilywhites). And having Solanke hold the ball under pressure will end up enabling running space for the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Heung-min Son.

Having Solanke can also help Ange Postecoglou bypass Bodo’s midfield press. Kjetil Knutsen’s side are very aggressive when it comes to their pressing sequences from the middle of the park, but when they deploy that press, they end up leaving gaps for vertical passes behind the midfield line. And with Solanke becoming a vertical outlet in such situations, the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr can bypass the midfield with direct balls into Solanke’s feet or chest, and then depending on how that comes in, he can immediately trigger the runners in behind.

And then one of the consistent problems that Bodo has faced is from the set pieces, given that their centre-backs are technical but not tall, and this ends up making set piece situations a problem for the Norwegian giants. Then coming in at 6’2″ with his excellent timing and strength, Solanke is an aerial threat, and that could end up being a thing of importance. In the end, even if he does not attack the ball directly, his presence will force the defenders to focus on him and end up opening up spaces for the likes of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven to attack.

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Author Opinion

See with how this game could go, starting Dominic Solanke against Bodo/Glimt isn’t just an option for Ange Postecoglou; it is more of a tactical necessity, and given that he possesses the ability to secure possession and help to stabilise the shape of the team all while disrupting Bodo’s high line and offering consistent goal threat through aerial duels, he could end up being the difference maker in the game. Possibly without his physicality and presence, the Lilywhites run a risk of being dragged into a chaotic game that favours Bodo’s pressing strengths rather than asserting their own superiority. And in a semi-final where control and composure are everything, Solanke must be the man leading the line for the North Londoners.

Who do you think should be leading the line for Tottenham vs Bodo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.