Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, despite a penalty shootout loss. Frank highlighted Tottenham’s competitiveness against a world-class team and hinted at further squad reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
Tottenham Hotspur, under the guidance of Thomas Frank, showcased a promising performance against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Super Cup, despite ultimately falling short in a penalty shootout. Frank, while acknowledging the defeat, emphasized that his team more than held their own against what he considers "one of the best teams in the world."
The match, held at Bluenergy Stadium, saw Tottenham squander a two-goal lead, resulting in a 2-2 draw in normal time. The subsequent penalty shootout saw PSG emerge victorious with a 4-3 scoreline. This outcome left Frank with mixed emotions – disappointment at the loss, but encouragement from the overall performance of his squad.
Tottenham initially appeared to be on track for victory, with goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero establishing a comfortable lead either side of halftime. However, PSG's substitutes, Lee Kang-In and Goncalo Ramos, quickly turned the tide, scoring goals that leveled the score and forced the match into extra time.
During the penalty shootout, both teams experienced moments of fortune and misfortune. Vitinha missed PSG's first penalty, offering Tottenham an early advantage. However, Rodrigo Bentancur's successful conversion was followed by Van de Ven's effort being saved by PSG's debutant goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier. A subsequent miss by Mathys Tel allowed Nuno Mendes to step up and secure the win for PSG.
Despite the defeat, the statistics highlighted Tottenham's competitiveness throughout the match. Spurs recorded an expected goals (xG) total of 1.4 from 13 shots, marginally higher than PSG's 1.2 from 12 attempts. This suggested that Tottenham's attacking threat was comparable to that of their highly-rated opponents.
Frank acknowledged the disappointment of the result but focused on the positive aspects of the performance. He viewed the game as a valuable learning experience for his team, particularly ahead of their Premier League opener against Burnley. "I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at this moment in time," Frank told TNT Sports, highlighting the significance of the test his team had faced.
He further elaborated on the team's strategy and execution, stating, "We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal, then, of course, the momentum shifted a little bit." Frank commended his players, the club, and the fans, emphasizing that there were numerous positives to take away from the match, despite the ultimate defeat. He also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of penalty shootouts, stating, "It is a flip of the coin when you go to a penalty shootout."
Frank also emphasized the team's tactical flexibility, stating, "We showed that we can be adaptable and pragmatic, and we needed to be against a team like PSG." He praised the team's defensive work, both in high-pressure situations and in deeper defending, describing it as "top, almost perfect." Additionally, he highlighted the effectiveness of Tottenham's set-pieces, describing them as "very good and dangerous."
Looking ahead, Frank hinted at potential further additions to the squad before the closure of the summer transfer window on September 1. Tottenham has already welcomed six new players, including Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha, who featured in the Super Cup clash. Kevin Danso also made an appearance, while Tel came off the bench.
While Tottenham has been linked with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, Frank stated that, while satisfied with his current squad, he remained open to strengthening the team further. "We'd like to strengthen the squad. No doubt about that," Frank added. "We do work very hard to see if we can do that." He emphasized that the club would continue to explore opportunities to improve the squad before the transfer window closes.
Overall, Thomas Frank's assessment of Tottenham's performance against PSG was one of cautious optimism. Despite the defeat, he saw signs of progress and competitiveness against a top-tier opponent. With potential new signings on the horizon, Frank is confident that Tottenham can build on this performance and achieve their goals in the upcoming season.