UEFA Super Cup: Penalty shootout drama as PSG mount comeback against Spurs

It was late heartbreak for Tottenham Hotspur and new boss Thomas Frank as European champions Paris Saint-Germain overcame a 2-0 deficit to draw level at the last moment, clinching the UEFA Super Cup on penalties in a high intensity encounter in Udine, Italy.

Following on from successful European campaigns last season, the two clubs came into the match in very different circumstances, with PSG having finally ended their UCL misery by lifting the trophy in May, before being beaten comfortably 3-0 by Chelsea in the Club World Cup final and, as a result, not having a proper pre-season. Spurs, despite winning the Europa League, had slumped to 17th in the Premier League and sacked their manager Ange Postecoglou, with Thomas Frank coming through the door to replace the Australian.

Frank’s team continued to frustrate the Parisians with their fluid formation

A clear change in philosophy at Spurs was evident from the first whistle, as the Lilywhites chose to sit in and remain solid at the back, before trying to break out quickly and catch PSG on the counter.  With minimal possession, Frank’s team continued to frustrate the Parisians with their fluid formation that switched to a back five when they didn’t have the ball, displaying a very different Spurs to the side we saw under Postecoglou that, at times, looked unorganised and chaotic.

Two goals either side of halftime from the centre halves, Micky van de Ven and newly assigned skipper Christian Romero, put the North London outfit in a commanding position, and they looked on course to win a trophy in Frank’s first competitive match with the club.  Their defensive, counterpunching approach was proving to be a serious issue for Luis Enrique, whose normally prolific side didn’t register a shot on target until the 65th minute.  However, like all the best sides do, and all the best managers, they managed to find a way.

Ticking into the 85th minute, the European champions clicked into gear, with substitute Lee Kang-in firing home from just outside the 18-yard box.  This left around 10 minutes, including additional time, of attack vs defence as Tottenham tried to hold onto their now slender lead.  It wasn’t to be however, as in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Ousmane Dembele’s cross was directed past Vicario by Gonçalo Ramos to take the final to spot kicks, and to highlight the impressive work of Enrique, with two of his substitutes having the desired goalscoring impact to drag the French side back into the game.

New boss Frank will see plenty of positives ahead of the new Premier League campaign

Spurs took the lead in the shootout, with Solanke netting first before Vitinha rolled his penalty wide. However, two consecutive failures from van de Ven and Mathys Tel turned everything on it’s head, and PSG were able to keep their composure with fullback Nuno Mendes ultimately landing the final blow, confidently dispatching his spot kick.

A painful night for Spurs and their fans, but new boss Frank will see plenty of positives ahead of the new Premier League campaign, in which his team will be looking to make drastic improvements on their previous 17th place finish.  The Dane suggested Tottenham lost by ‘small margins’, and so will be aiming to take the positive signs into the new season to transform his side into one capable of climbing up the table.