Thomas Frank, head coach of Brentford FC, is proud of his team’s display in the Super Cup fixture against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). They’ve lost on a penalty shoot out but they’ve left everything out there, he feels. The match showcased Frank’s tactical acumen and highlighted the team’s potential to compete with the best in the world.
During a close encounter in Udine, Spurs demonstrated their team’s pace and quality. Their tactics and execution were almost unbelievable in their perfection during the first half, speaking to the qualities that make them such a dangerous side. As Frank further stressed, they had them “exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes” before PSG found their equalizer. He displays an extraordinary intellect for the game. Most of all he’s proud of his team’s work to stymie a dangerous opponent.
A Tactical Masterclass
Frank’s influence was evident throughout the match as he orchestrated a strategy that effectively countered PSG’s strengths. The first half was especially impressive for Spurs, who used set-piece plays to generate clear and dangerous opportunities. Two goals from these well-rehearsed set-pieces highlighted the success of their practice and preparation.
Frank also made important tactical changes, starting with the positioning of Pedro Porro. This allowed Spurs to undergo a fluid switch from a back four to a back five. This flexibility allowed them to shut down PSG’s attacking threats for the majority of the match. Incoming transfer Fabian Ruiz immediately anchored the midfield and provided tremendous balance to the team. His return came at the perfect time, allowing Spurs to reset the tempo of the game.
“I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best.” – Thomas Frank
Key players made stellar contributions to the act. His poise in the final third would be a theme of the match as Ousmane Dembele’s tactical switch transformed the match and was key to Paris’ equalizer. New defensive midfielder Kevin Danso helped lead the charge with long balls that upped Spurs’ critical counter-punching capacity.
Defensive Solidity
Consider it defensively, Spurs were incredibly drilled, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero snuffing out PSG’s relentless threat seriously well. Together, their partnership would prove to be essential. Each defender displayed their class at both ends of the pitch, scoring goals to put Spurs on the verge of an impressive upset win.
Frank praised his players for their spirit and flexibility. He acknowledged that their overall performance during the game showed that they were a team that could go up against any team in the world.
“We showed we can be adaptable and pragmatic.” – Thomas Frank
Frank’s faith in his team’s abilities comes from an optimistic place, and it shows in his recognition of their strengths. He thinks that given a little more time and development, they can be even more competitive. Bemoan the lack of squad depth altogether — or in the very least, acknowledge the issue of availability — and suddenly he’s misunderstood, overly defensive, anything you want.
Upcoming Challenges
Next up Spurs’ immediately have to turn their attention to the visit of Burnley this Saturday. This new match up brings a whole other set of issues that’ll test Frank’s tactics and player rotation. The coach is keenly aware that while they have demonstrated they can compete at high levels, consistency will be crucial moving forward.
“In one game, I think we have shown we can play against any team in the world.” – Thomas Frank
As Spurs gear up for this next fixture, their performance against PSG serves as both a benchmark and a source of motivation. The confidence and the experience that they have obtained from playing a top-class team like PSG will most definitely help them in the battles that lie ahead.
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