Spurs Let Super Cup Slip but Show Frank’s Blueprint
It really looked like Tottenham Hotspur were about to pull off the perfect start under Thomas Frank. For 85 minutes in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, they were composed, disciplined, and dangerous. Up 2–0 with just five minutes left, the trophy seemed destined for north London. But football loves a twist — and PSG delivered it in cruel fashion. Two late goals from the European champions sent the game to penalties, where Spurs’ hopes were dashed 4–3 in the shootout.
Still, for most of the night, Frank’s plan was on full display. Set-pieces were clearly drilled to perfection. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both benefited from well-worked dead-ball routines, and Tottenham’s aerial presence unsettled PSG repeatedly. Frank’s decision to adopt a more pragmatic approach — keeping shape high, going direct when needed, and refusing to overplay in risky areas — felt like a sharp departure from Ange Postecoglou’s more open, possession-heavy style.
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Frank admitted afterwards that it had been a “special operation” for a special opponent. His high-pressure system and man-for-man matchups frustrated PSG for long spells, and debutants Joao Palhinha and Mohamed Kudus slotted in impressively. Kudus, especially, caught the eye with his relentless running and link-up play with Richarlison. This wasn’t free-flowing, romantic football, but it was effective — until momentum flipped.
That shift came when Lee Kang-in rifled one past Guglielmo Vicario, sparking belief in a previously flat PSG side. As six minutes of stoppage time went up, Spurs’ confidence wavered. Gonçalo Ramos’ injury-time header forced extra drama, and by the time the penalties arrived, the psychological tide had fully turned. Misses from Van de Ven and Mathys Tel sealed the fate.
It’s a reminder that the “serial winner” mindset can’t be built in a preseason. Frank still has gaps in his squad — the club is chasing attacking reinforcements like Savinho and Eberechi Eze, plus a centre-back, before the window closes. Injuries to key figures like James Maddison and Son Heung-min add urgency.
Pundits were mixed. Paul Robinson called it a “real blow,” warning the players’ belief must be rebuilt immediately. Aaron Lennon lamented the lack of game management, while Danny Murphy pointed to the promising set-piece threat and defensive discipline as reasons for optimism.
For now, Frank has shown he can set Tottenham up to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s best. But the lesson was clear: in elite football, five minutes can undo 85 minutes of excellence. If Spurs can strengthen before September and sharpen their closing instincts, this Super Cup heartbreak might be remembered less as a collapse — and more as the painful first step in a winning project.
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