Sky Sports pundit makes shock James Maddison claim after Tottenham v Frankfurt
James Maddison was guilty of conceding possession in the lead-up to Eintracht Frankfurt’s goal against Tottenham on Thursday.
Spurs failed to put their home advantage to use as they played out a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie on 10 April.
Tottenham found themselves in trouble just six minutes after kick-off, with Frankfurt capitalising on a mistake from Maddison and going in front through Hugo Ekitike.
Pedro Porro pulled level for Ange Postecoglou’s side 20 minutes later, although attempts to take the lead did not go according to plan despite dominating the game for the most part.
Sky Sports pundit makes Maddison admission
With the game ending in frustration for Tottenham, Maddison was the subject of criticism from fans, pundits and journalists online.
The Telegraph journalist Matt Law was among those who hit out at the England international, saying he had a “stinking opening 17 minutes”, while supporters showed him no mercy on social media.
| Minutes | Assists | Accurate Passes | Chances Created | Touches | Ground Duels Won |
| 79 | 1 | 49/56 (88%) | 2 | 73 | 2/10 (20%) |
However, Darren Ambrose has decided to swim against the tide by defending Maddison for his mistake in the lead-up to Ekitike’s goal.
The Sky Sports pundit is of the view that the other Spurs player let the 28-year-old down, as no one gave him a passing option.
He added that the Tottenham player seemed scared to take possession of the ball in the opening 10 minutes of the game, allowing Ekitike to find the back of the net.
“It was a poor start from Spurs. Alright, they got their goal, but it shouldn’t have happened, it was avoidable”, Ambrose said on talkSPORT (10 April).
“No blame on James Maddison from me, I think everyone backed away from him. He couldn’t find a pass because no one really wanted the ball.
“It looked like they shied away a bit in the first five minutes, but it was passive, what I’d say, the first five-ten minutes.
“They went down the other end, Ekitike was in and around five Spurs players, no one shut him down quick enough, and he just picked his spot.
Tottenham have all to play for v Frankfurt
With the first leg of the tie ending in a 1-1 draw, the attention will now turn to the second leg in Germany next Thursday, 17 April.
Spurs’ hopes of winning a trophy and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League depend on their success in the Europa League.
That is why they have all to play for in the second leg. It would not be a surprise if Postecoglou played a weakened side to face Wolves at the Molineux Stadium on Sunday, 13 April.