Dom: “To finally get that feeling of being out there and fighting for the club, for the team - it's what we live to do” | OneFootball

The last time Dominic Solanke faced a German team, he scored one of the most important goals of his career and, arguably, one of the most important of our recent history.

Little did he know then that the next time he’d face a Bundesliga team, not only would it be his debut in the UEFA Champions League, but it would also be his first start in eight months.

Turn the clock back to 17 April, 2025 and Dominic was ice cool under intense pressure from the penalty spot at DB Park to secure a 1-0 win on the night and 2-1 win on aggregate against Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Such a key player in our UEL triumph, Dominic then started our last game of the 2024/25 campaign against Brighton on 25 May. That was the last time he walked out for kick-off – a persistent ankle issue restricting him to just three substitute appearances in August before finally making his return off the bench against Villa (11 January) and then again as a second half substitute West Ham on Saturday.

Finally, he was back in the starting line-up to face Borussia Dortmund in MD7 of this season’s UCL league phase at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening and, in his first UCL appearance, it took just 37 minutes to make his mark with our second goal in a huge 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund – securing, at least, a place in the play-off round.

“It was incredible,” Dominic told SPURSPLAY afterwards. “Even just starting the game was immense. That was my first start since last season, so to have that feeling again was incredible. To get the win, especially at home in front of the fans - they deserved that win. It was a great night for all of us.

“You kind of forget when you're out for so long, that feeling. You always just can't wait to get back out there and kind of like dream about it, but then when you're actually there, it all hits you again. It was a great feeling.”

Asked if moments and nights like that made all the hard work worthwhile, Dominic said: “Yes, it makes it so good, especially when you're out for so long - coming to the games, watching the games, you just want to be out there. So, to finally get that feeling of being out there and just fighting for the club, for the team, it's what we live to do. So, yeah, it was so good.

“I feel a little bit tired, obviously, but I feel good. I've had a good few week’s training now and I just want to kick on, stay fit and have a good second half of the season.”