Tottenham fall to PSG in shootout

Editorial take on the postmatch remarks by Tottenham's head coach after the UEFA Super Cup loss to PSG.

Thomas Frank words after Tottenham PSG shootout defeat reveal plan and transfers

Tottenham opened with energy and took a 2-0 lead in Udine. A deep Guglielmo Vicario free-kick caused trouble in the box, Cristian Romero headed it across, Joao Palhinha’s shot skimmed the crossbar and Micky van de Ven converted the rebound. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Romero headed home from Pedro Porro’s free-kick, as PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier could only tip the ball into the net.

PSG struck back late, with Lee Kang-in firing from outside the box and Goncalo Ramos heading a low cross from Ousmane Dembele to level at 2-2. The match went to penalties after normal time, with Solanke, Bentancur and Porro converting for Tottenham, but Micky van de Ven was denied, Mathys Tel missed, and Nuno Mendes secured the win for PSG at 4-3.

After the game, coach Thomas Frank defended his plan and praised his team for a 75-80 minute performance that pressed high and restricted top players. He explained the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 after Bayern and described the effort as a special operation that nearly succeeded. He acknowledged the margin-like nature of penalties and noted the decision to use two strikers in lieu of Brennan Johnson, stressing that the squad must recover quickly for the next fixture and keep building momentum.

The article frames Tottenham as a side with a clear plan that can compete with elite teams for stretches, while also pointing to depth and fatigue as the decisive factors in the closing phase. The 3-5-2 shift signals a willingness to adapt, but the match also exposes the limits of a young squad when sustained pressure and late changes test stamina. Frank’s focus on set pieces, high press and a rapid turnaround suggests a long road ahead to translate 80-minute performance into 90-minute consistency. The piece weighs the balance between tactical ambition and the practical need for experience and depth in key positions.

Highlights

The match leaves Tottenham at a crossroads between bold tactical experiments and the need for durable depth.