The groups had not been in play for a full three minutes when the primary sign of Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur turned clear for all to see. Kevin Danso surveyed the group in Paris Saint-Germain’s penalty space, took just a few backward steps and ran again in direction of the touchline to finish the throw-in, not a single participant in a radius of some yards. The space was no situation in any respect – Cristian Romero almost related with Danso’s throw-in as he leaped from the sting of the six-yard field to provide Spurs a really early lead.
Spurs might not have scored on that chance, however they did on two others later within the match, even when they relinquished their 2-0 lead by conceding twice after the 84th minute, and went on to lose to the UEFA Tremendous Cup in a penalty shootout on Wednesday. Frank might have made a sophisticated first impression with the Tremendous Cup, however he additionally provided a way of immediate gratification, be it by way of Danso’s lengthy throw-ins or the set-piece objectives scored by middle backs Micky van de Ven and Romero. The uncertainties {that a} new-look Tottenham entered Wednesday’s match with usually are not fairly there anymore, the journey to Udine providing a primary real glimpse at Frank’s plans for his new workforce.
UEFA Tremendous Cup rating, highlights, takeaways: PSG beat Tottenham after dramatic comeback, penalty shootout
Chuck Sales space
It was maybe the simplest prediction to make when Frank formally bought the job, however Spurs look rather a lot like a premium model of his Brentford aspect, prioritizing alternatives out of possession to punch above their weight. A singular sport, particularly one towards arguably the perfect workforce on the earth, can solely fill in so many gaps a couple of aspect below new administration, however Tottenham’s Tremendous Cup efficiency showcased among the workforce’s new strengths – and the issues that Frank and firm might want to repair over the course of the season.
Set items and lengthy throw-ins for the win
Spurs have been completely satisfied to cede possession to PSG on Wednesday, holding simply 26.3% of the ball when all was stated and executed within the hopes of constructing up the distinction in different classes. The technique almost labored – Tottenham stored busy by operating for second balls and have been very efficient doing so, taking 13 photographs to PSG’s 12 and producing 1.38 anticipated objectives to the opposition’s 1.17. They have been an ideal distinction and successfully neutralized an understaffed and underprepared PSG, getting the higher of them for 84 minutes.
Probably the most noticeable a part of Frank’s technique got here by way of set items and throw-ins, no studying curve obvious for the gamers even though these expertise have been not often a function of Ange Postecoglou’s model of the workforce. It helps that Frank has recognized gamers who’re pure matches for his or her new duties – Danso maybe handed Spurs’ lengthy throw-in auditions as a result of he was a talented rugby participant for his college workforce, whereas van de Ven and Romero be a part of a protracted listing of middle backs who’re recognized for his or her set-piece prowess.
A set-piece-focused technique additionally looks like a pure first impression for Frank’s model of Spurs, particularly after the Postecoglou years. Postecoglou caught a variety of flak for Tottenham’s set-piece defending however his workforce was not notably efficient at scoring from them, both. Spurs have been nonetheless one of many Premier League’s finest attacking groups final season regardless of that, however Brentford truly outdid them in objectives scored and anticipated objectives utilizing this strategy, which presents dependable goalscoring alternatives whatever the sport state.
The price of enjoying towards PSG
PSG might not have had an actual preseason and are lower than a month faraway from their loss to Chelsea within the Membership World Cup remaining, however there is a purpose they gained the UEFA Champions League within the spring. Luis Enrique’s system is their biggest power however theirs is a squad of gamers with spectacular particular person expertise, as Lee Kang-in’s Eighty fifth-minute aim demonstrates. It additionally exposes the good draw back of Spurs’ strategy towards a workforce like PSG, or different related opponents – it dangers operating the gamers ragged earlier than the ultimate whistle blows.
Spurs’ starters appeared fatigued nicely earlier than the Eighty fifth minute, a pure consequence of nonstop operating for the whole thing of the match. Pape Matar Sarr, who exemplified the technique with an energetic show for a lot of the match, appeared out of vitality about 10 minutes earlier than Lee’s aim and Romero pulled up with a cramp – maybe a well timed one – proper earlier than the ultimate whistle blew. It left Tottenham unable to reply to PSG’s inherent qualities, Frank’s aspect spending way more time in their very own field than any workforce wish to within the dying minutes of a match. In opposition to Enrique’s aspect, it was a expensive technique, and Frank summarized it uniquely after the match.
“I knew we needed to do one thing slightly bit completely different towards PSG,” Frank stated. “It was a particular operation. In medical phrases, the operation succeeded however the affected person died. So not that good in the long run. However we labored on a sport plan that was slightly bit completely different and [it was] very near succeeding.”
How versatile will Spurs be?
Wednesday’s efficiency shares some commonalities with Spurs’ different preseason performances, however the throw-ins and set items provided one thing new within the early weeks of Frank’s tenure, demonstrating a persisting sense of unpredictability that’s not totally uncommon as a supervisor settles into his new job. Contemplating the caliber of Tottenham’s preseason opponents, an inventory that features Arsenal, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich, it’s truly laborious to say how Frank will strategy each match on the schedule this season.
Regardless of final season’s Seventeenth-place end, Spurs would be the favorites in additional of their home matches than not within the months forward. That is the good unknown of Frank’s leap from Brentford – his expertise is with a midtable workforce, which isn’t disqualifying however merely implies that a brand new set of managerial conditions and choices await. An aggressive off-the-ball strategy will seemingly not be required for a big chunk of the video games on their schedule, that are more likely to afford extra alternatives for possession and creativity in midfield. What precisely Frank does with that will probably be price maintaining a tally of, particularly since Spurs will not be executed within the switch market simply but, hyperlinks to Manchester Metropolis’s Savinho and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze popping up in current days.
Frank and firm are nonetheless, understandably, enjoying their playing cards near their chest, however Ben Davies might have offered a small trace in his pre-Tremendous Cup remarks on Tuesday. “I feel we’re positively going to have a special sport plan relying on the opposition this season,” he stated.
