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Frank relishing Champions League debut with Spurs / Photo: © AFP/File
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Frank relishing Champions League debut with Spurs
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank said he was looking forward to testing himself against Europe's top teams as he prepares for his Champions League debut against Villarreal on Tuesday.
Spurs are playing in Europe's top club competition for the first time since the 2022/23 season, qualifying by winning the Europa League last season under former manager Ange Postecoglou.
Frank left Brentford to take charge of Spurs in June after Tottenham sacked Postecoglou following a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
The Danish manager's only previous European experience as a manager came in Europa League qualifying with former club Brondby.
"It's a fantastic experience tomorrow," he told reporters on Monday. "We played with Brentford in the Championship at Griffin Park (the club's former ground), a small, compact stadium.
"And tomorrow we're playing in one of the best stadiums in the world, maybe the best, in front of our fantastic fans.
"It's a European night and we know they will be absolutely on it. It will be so special, so really looking forward to the first two minutes and the Champions League anthem, then it's focus on the game."
Spurs, beaten Champions League finalists in 2019, have started the season brightly, winning three of their first four matches in the Premier League.
They also pushed European champions Paris Saint-Germain hard in the European Super Cup in mid-August, losing on penalties after conceding two late goals in a 2-2 draw.
Frank, 51, said he was not focusing on how many points Spurs would need to progress from the Champions League league phase.
"I focus on one thing, let's see if we can beat Villarreal tomorrow, that's the most important thing," he said. "After that we are playing Brighton (in the Premier League). One game at a time."
Other opponents in the group stage include Monaco, PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
Forward Dominic Solanke, who has been sidelined since last month, was absent from training on Monday and Frank said he was not ready to play.
New signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both featured in wet conditions, with Kolo Muani in line to make his Spurs debut.
A.Byun--SG
