Thomas Frank said we were ‘close to playing the perfect match’ after our heartbreaking defeat on penalties to PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
Everything was going to plan against the team widely-recognised as the best in the world - defensive structure in a 3-4-3 formation, winning the ball and counter pressing, creating havoc from set pieces – and we forged a 2-0 lead in Udine thanks to set piece goals from Micky van de Ven and Cuti Romero.
[Report | Spurs 2-2 PSG (3-4 pens)](https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/august/psg-vs-spurs-uefa-super-cup-match-report/)
We still held that 2-0 lead going into the final five minutes – when PSG struck back. First up, Kang-In Lee struck from the edge of the box for 2-1, then, agonisingly, Goncalo Ramos stooped to head home the equaliser with 94 minutes on the clock. PSG then took the penalty shoot-out 4-3.
The plan had gone so well, that with 75 minutes on the clock, the shot count was 13-5 in our favour…
Speaking to SPURSPLAY, Thomas reflected: "First and foremost, I’m extremely proud of the team, the players, fans, the club... I think we showed that we can compete - more than compete - against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best right now.
“Basically, for 75, 80 minutes, we were close to playing the perfect match, 2-0 up, that’s what makes it so brutal. Then it’s a penalty shoot-out, and that’s a flip of the coin. Many positives, but football is about winning, so it’s also brutal. In the end, key - good performances that over time, will bring us success. This was a good start.
[Live from Udine - UEFA Super Cup reaction](https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/august/live-coverage-psg-vs-spurs-uefa-super-cup-august-2025/)
“The players put in an unbelievable shift. They worked so hard throughout the game. We showed that we will be tactically adaptable throughout the season, whoever we’re facing. We were so close with everything in the game plan, then in football, it’s margins.
“You can say in a final, in the end you don’t care about the performance if you just win, but unfortunately football doesn’t work like that. You need good performances, and this was a very good performance. If we can put that together on Saturday as well, I’ll be very happy.”
All eyes now turn to the Premier League - we kick-off against Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (3pm).