In a gripping UEFA Super Cup match, Thomas Frank faced his first competitive game as the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur against Paris Saint-Germain, one of Europe’s elite football clubs. That match, played at a neutral venue due to the pandemic, proved to be a wild ride for Spurs supporters. Their team was playing from the front for the majority of the game but missed chances led to a late collapse, losing in penalties 4-2.
Tottenham opened the scoring after just four minutes with a beautiful set-piece goal by Micky van de Ven. The mood inside the stadium changed instantly for Spurs as they went 2–0 up through yet another set-piece, this one coming from Cristian Romero. Bolstered by an impressive defensive showing, Spurs were able to see out their two-goal lead comfortably for most of the match. The tide turned dramatically when PSG came back with a vengeful response. Although Tottenham managed to find a late goal which took the tie to penalties, Spurs were unable to lift the trophy.
A Promising Start for Frank’s Era
Even the defeat at home to Newcastle on the opening day of his reign started brightly, with Frank’s new team showcasing his attacking style and tactical intelligence. The strongest aspect of Frank’s coaching prowess was further highlighted in the match-up—the player’s extensive and successful execution of set-piece strategies. After conceding an early goal, Spurs showed a third round of the post-Group Stage form with an impressive defensive display against a talented PSG squad.
Frank expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in the match, stating, “I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best.” This sentiment expressed his optimism that Spurs could and should compete at the highest level. That match served as a critical test for Frank. More than that, it unlocked important clues about his players’ abilities when up against the game’s worst monsters.
The individual efforts of players such as van de Ven and Romero were vital in getting the team out to an early lead. Their contributions helped illustrate the improvement potential for Frank’s administration to build upon. Where they really shined was in set-piece situations, where they became an ever-present threat.
Defensive Resilience Meets Late Collapse
As the game wore on, Spurs employed a strong defensive shape that continually stifled PSG’s efforts to penetrate. Tactically, Frank’s approach involved a mix of intense, high pressing play with more conservative, low defensive blocks. This strategy worked extremely well for the majority of the game. Reflecting on this aspect, Frank remarked, “We showed we can be adaptable and pragmatic. The first half was almost perfect.”
That would be enough to win the match, but it all took a stunning turn in the closing minutes. Spurs had looked to be cruising until they conceded a terrible goal that turned the tide heavily in PSG’s favor. “We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until they made it 2-1,” Frank noted. That late goal turned the momentum on PSG’s side. That momentum carried the match into a dramatic penalty shootout, ending in anguish for Spurs.
Although it was a disappointment that they couldn’t bring home the UEFA Super Cup trophy, Frank had nothing but positive expectations ahead. Kusky looked back at the good from the game, highlighting his pride in how much fight the team showed.
Looking Ahead
Post-match, Frank reiterated the need to look at that game and see where we can get better back at Hotspur Way. He recognized that the outcome wasn’t great. It was a performance that proved Spurs would be no pushovers in their bid to go toe-to-toe with the very best.
Frank stated, “In one game, I think we can show we can play against any team in the world. I’m not in doubt about that and that’s a positive to take away from this.” This perspective is telling of his desire to coach from this solid foundation as he manages through the highs and lows of his first season in charge.
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