The victory on Tuesday evening was exactly what Thomas Frank needed to catch his breath. In a high-stakes Champions League encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs managed to secure a vital 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
This result has provided the manager with some much-needed job security, yet the night was far from perfect for everyone involved. While the team celebrated a historic European result, one particular player found himself under the microscope for all the wrong reasons.
Randal Kolo Muani, the French forward who arrived with such high expectations, once again failed to make an impact, leading many to believe that his time in North London should come to an abrupt end.
The match started in spectacular fashion for the Lilywhites. Within the first fifteen minutes, the stadium erupted as Cristian Romero found the back of the net, finishing off a brilliant cross from Wilson Odobert.
Tottenham looked sharp, energetic, and tactically disciplined. The game swung further in their favor when Dortmund’s left wing-back, Daniel Svensson, was sent off before the half-hour mark. This gave Spurs a significant numerical advantage, which they quickly exploited.
Dominic Solanke, returning to the starting lineup, managed to score his first goal of the season after another excellent assist from Odobert. It was a moment of relief for the English striker and the fans alike.
However, the narrative shifted during the final twenty minutes of the match. With the game comfortably at 2-0, Thomas Frank decided to manage Solanke’s minutes and brought on Randal Kolo Muani.
The stage was set for the World Cup finalist to put the game to bed and perhaps rediscover his scoring touch. Unfortunately, the opposite occurred. Kolo Muani looked sluggish and lacked the clinical edge required at this level.
His most notable contribution was a missed opportunity when he was put through on goal by a perfect pass from Xavi Simons, only to fire his shot directly at the goalkeeper.
| Player Performance Summary | Goal Involvement | Alasdair Gold Rating | Season Stats (Goals) |
| Cristian Romero | 1 Goal | 8/10 | 2 |
| Dominic Solanke | 1 Goal | 8/10 | 1 |
| Wilson Odobert | 2 Assists | 9/10 | 3 |
| Randal Kolo Muani | 0 | 5/10 | 2 |
The post-match analysis was particularly harsh on the Frenchman. Renowned Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold handed out a mere 5/10 rating for his cameo. Gold noted that every other Spurs player earned at least a seven, making Kolo Muani the clear outlier in an otherwise stellar team performance.
The journalist pointed out that the forward often fails to chase down opportunities with the necessary intensity, appearing disconnected from the rest of the squad’s rhythm. When you look at the raw data, the situation becomes even more concerning.
Kolo Muani has managed just two goals in twenty-three appearances for the club, with both of those coming in a single game back in November. In the Premier League, his goal tally still sits at zero.
The success of Dominic Solanke on Tuesday night serves as a final warning for Kolo Muani’s future at the club. With Solanke finding the net in his first start since returning from injury and Richarlison already having scored seven times in the league, the pecking order is becoming very clear.
Tottenham is a club that cannot afford to carry passengers, especially in the attacking department. The general feeling among the fanbase and the media is that Kolo Muani has had enough chances to prove his worth, and the club should seriously consider cutting his loan spell short.
For Thomas Frank, the night was a tactical triumph. He needed a win to silence the critics who believed he was on the verge of being sacked, and he got exactly that.
An early lead and a red card for the opposition played perfectly into his hands, but he still had to ensure the team stayed professional and saw the game out. It is almost hard to believe that Tottenham now sits fourth in the Champions League league phase table.
They are in a fantastic position to qualify directly for the Round of 16, a goal that will be within reach if they can secure a result against Eintracht Frankfurt next week.
As the team prepares for the next round of fixtures, the focus must remain on the players who are contributing to the win column. The Champions League demands a level of focus and clinical finishing that Kolo Muani simply hasn’t shown during his time in London.
While the manager has earned the right to look forward to the next few months, he would be wise to leave the underperforming Frenchman behind. Whether through a permanent transfer or by ending a loan agreement, clearing the path for more reliable options like Solanke and Richarlison is the only logical step for a club with European silverware in its sights.
