Joao Palhinha has been one of the bright stars for Tottenham this season.
Tottenham are set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night. It could be the final time we see Thomas Frank in charge of the Lilywhites, given how underwhelming the Danish tactician’s tenure has been at N17. He will be hoping his side rises to the occasion and secures all three points to keep their hopes of automatic qualification for the knockout stages alive.
Frank could face a major selection dilemma for the fixture, as he is set to be without a number of key players for the upcoming clash. First-team regulars such as Joao Palhinha, Richarlison, Mathys Tel, and Micky van de Ven are all expected to miss the ‘must-win game’ due to injury or suspension. As a result, the spotlight will be firmly on the Danish tactician as he attempts to navigate an injury crisis at N17.
One player the North Londoners will certainly miss against Dortmund is Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese international has been one of the standout performers in recent weeks after reclaiming his place in the starting eleven. His energy and tenacity have helped Spurs maintain control at the back and break up opposition play. The 30-year-old’s injury could not have come at a worse time, with Spurs entering a decisive phase of their Champions League campaign.
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Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha has shown his commitment to the badge in recent outings. His display against Aston Villa in the FA Cup last week was one for the highlight reels, as he stood tall and managed to intercept wave after wave of attacks from the Villans in the second half. He was the driving force behind a Spurs side that came close to mounting a comeback against Unai Emery’s men.
Thomas Frank has now confirmed that the 30-year-old will miss the Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund due to injury. Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Tottenham Hotspur), Frank said,
“No, no, no. That’s why I said we only have 11 players. No, no, it’s when it rains it pours, so he’s not available.”
Frank has claimed that he has just eleven outfield players available following the injury crisis at N17. The Danish tactician also confirmed that Joao Palhinha will miss the Champions League fixture against Dortmund as he begins his recovery from injury this week. His absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the middle of the park, forcing Frank to rely on an inexperienced option in the No.6 role.
All eyes will be on the Dane as he looks to steady the ship at N17 and steer his side through the storm. A poor result could act as the catalyst for a toxic atmosphere at N17, given the club’s dismal home form across all competitions this season. This could also be the final time Thomas Frank takes charge of the Lilywhites, regardless of the performance on the pitch. Recent reports suggest he is close to being sacked by Spurs due to his failure to turn the club’s fortunes around in recent months.
The absence of Joao Palhinha, a player Frank has heavily relied upon, will be a huge blow for the Lilywhites. However, it remains to be seen how the North Londoners line up without the Portuguese international. With Yves Bissouma also unavailable for the Champions League clash, there are growing concerns that Spurs may be left with very limited options in the middle of the park.
