Transfer plan: Thomas Frank
Tottenham Hotspurs Football Newsletter
Spurs were 2-0 up with five minutes to go in Udine, but were pegged back by goals from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos after Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero had put the north Londoners in the driving seat.
Frank lined up in a 3-5-2 shape - something he became very well known for in his time at Brentford - and the system worked a charm, nullifying Paris’ fearsome four in their frontline, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue all kept quiet by the regimented and resolute Spurs defence.
Richarlison took his chance in the spotlight with an impressive performance in a front two alongside Mohammed Kudus, who was making his own competitive debut for the club, while Dominic Solanke returned from injury off the bench.
Joao Palhinha, the club’s most recent arrival after his loan move from Bayern Munich, also started in the engine room.
However, Frank still feels that his squad could do with strengthening before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
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“We’d like to strengthen the squad, no doubt about that,” Frank told TNT Sports post-match.
“We do work very hard to see if we can do that. In general, I’m very happy with the squad, but of course, in every window, you’d like to see if you can make the squad stronger before the window closes. That’s what we’re working hard on.”
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Frank, taking charge of his first competitive game at his new club, could not deliver a second European trophy in four months, but emphasised the importance of a pragmatic approach when playing against sides like PSG, the Champions League winners.
“We played a very good game against one of - maybe the best - teams in the world,” the former Brentford boss said.
“I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes. Until the 2-1 goal, which shifted momentum. So many positives. So proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. It’s a lot to be happy with. It’s a coin flip when it goes to a penalty shoot-out.
“We showed that we can be adaptable and pragmatic. We needed to do that against a team like PSG. The way we wanted to defend - both high pressure and low defending - was exceptionally good. The first half was top, almost perfect.”
Set-pieces were a huge factor of Frank’s success in west London, and it appears that he has brought it to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with both Van de Ven and Romero both netting from dead ball scenarios.
“The set pieces were also very good and very dangerous,” Frank continued.
“It’s key. For any team it should be a weapon. We definitely will focus on that, because it’s a key area.”