Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has praised his players’ performance despite Wednesday night’s dramatic UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, describing the loss as a “flip of the coin” decided by the fine margins of a penalty shootout.
The Premier League side looked on course to secure the first major trophy of Frank’s tenure after taking a commanding two-goal lead against the reigning Ligue 1 and Champions League winners. However, a late surge from PSG saw the French champions force extra time and ultimately prevail on spot-kicks.
A Promising Start Turns to Late Heartbreak
In front of a packed stadium and millions watching around the world, Spurs began with confidence and discipline, absorbing early PSG pressure before striking twice. Dutch defender Micky Van de Ven opened the scoring with a well-timed finish in the first half, before Cristian Romero doubled the lead with a powerful header early in the second period.
For much of the match, Tottenham’s game plan appeared to be working perfectly. The defensive unit, marshalled by Romero, was organised and resilient, while the midfield pressed aggressively to disrupt PSG’s rhythm. The French side, stacked with attacking talent, struggled to find their usual fluency.
However, the match turned dramatically in the final minutes of normal time. With just six minutes remaining, South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in pulled one back for PSG, sparking a wave of momentum that shifted the balance of play. Tottenham, who had been in control for over 80 minutes, suddenly found themselves on the back foot.
In stoppage time, PSG winger Ousmane Dembele delivered a pinpoint cross that Goncalo Ramos headed past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to level the match at 2-2, sending the contest into a penalty shootout.
Frank: “We Had Them Exactly Where We Wanted”
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Thomas Frank admitted that the momentum swing following PSG’s first goal was decisive.
“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 said.
“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.”
Despite the disappointment, the Tottenham boss expressed pride in his team’s display against elite opposition.
“The team, the players, the club, the fans — there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of the coin when you go to a penalty shootout.”
Penalty Shootout Decides the Trophy
In the shootout, PSG’s composure proved decisive. The French champions converted all five of their penalties, while Tottenham missed one crucial kick, handing the trophy to Luis Enrique’s side with a 5-3 win from the spot.
While defeat on penalties is always a bitter pill to swallow, Frank noted that such outcomes are inherently unpredictable and often do not reflect the balance of play across the match.
“Penalty shootouts are always a bit of a lottery,” the Danish manager remarked. “We prepared well, but sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.”
Lessons and Positives for Spurs
Although the result was a disappointment, there were clear positives for Tottenham to take from the encounter. Going toe-to-toe with PSG, a team widely regarded as one of the strongest in Europe, was itself a statement of progress.
Van de Ven and Romero’s goals highlighted the team’s threat from set-pieces, while the defensive structure for most of the game showed that Frank’s tactical approach can be effective against even the most formidable attacks.
The manager also praised the work rate and discipline of his players, pointing to the way they nullified PSG’s creative threats for the majority of the match. “We showed tonight that we can compete with the very best,” he said. “If we keep performing at this level, we will have a very exciting season ahead.”
Preparing for the Premier League Opener
Attention now turns to domestic matters, with Tottenham set to begin their Premier League campaign against Burnley this weekend. Frank stressed the importance of quickly moving past the Super Cup disappointment and channelling the performance levels into the league.
“Of course, we’re disappointed tonight, but we can’t dwell on it. The focus now is on Burnley and making sure we start the league in the best possible way,” he told reporters.
The Danish coach is expected to rotate his squad slightly for the opening fixture, mindful of player fatigue after a demanding pre-season and the energy-sapping clash with PSG.
Building a Winning Mentality
Frank’s appointment at Tottenham was seen as a move towards building a team with both resilience and attacking ambition. Wednesday’s performance against PSG, despite the result, will likely boost the squad’s belief that they can compete at the highest level.
Football pundits have noted that taking PSG to the wire in a European final is a sign of Tottenham’s upward trajectory under Frank. Former Spurs captain Ledley King, speaking on a post-match broadcast, said:
“This was a great test for Spurs and they passed it in many ways. Yes, they’ll be disappointed, but the character and quality they showed bodes well for the season.”
PSG’s Late Quality Proves the Difference
For PSG, the victory capped a remarkable run of form and underlined their ability to respond under pressure. Luis Enrique’s men have now added the UEFA Super Cup to their collection of trophies this year, with Ousmane Dembele once again instrumental in the turnaround.
From Tottenham’s perspective, the lesson is clear — against world-class opposition, lapses in concentration can be punished swiftly and decisively.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Despite the heartbreak of defeat, there is little doubt that Tottenham will take valuable experience from this encounter. Playing against a team of PSG’s calibre in a high-stakes environment provides lessons that could prove invaluable in both domestic and European competitions this season.
Frank’s message to his players was clear: hold your heads high, build on the positives, and let the performance — not just the result — shape the team’s belief going forward.
With the Premier League season now upon them, Spurs will aim to carry the same intensity and tactical discipline into their opening matches, beginning with Burnley.
As Frank himself concluded:
“We showed tonight that we are not far off from competing with the very best. If we use this as motivation, we can achieve something special this season.”
