Tottenham ‘Can Play Against Any Team’, Says Frank After Super Cup

Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager Thomas Frank said his side proved they can “play against any team in the world” following their performance against European champions PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

Tottenham were in control of the contest in Udine, Italy for the large parts, and with only five minutes of normal time left, they were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

But PSG, the reigning Champions League and Ligue 1 winners, mounted a superb late comeback, as substitutes Lee Kang-in scored a long-range strike in the 85th minute before Goncalo Ramos equalized with a header in the fourth minute of added time.

That forced the contest to a penalty shootout, where PSG ran out 4-3 winners, as Van de Ven’s spot kick was saved by PSG’s new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, while Mathys Tel shot wide from the spot for Spurs.

What started as a promising night for the North London team ended in frustration and disbelief, as many of their players looked dejected after the shootout.

Despite the defeat, manager Frank was positive after the match.

“I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best,” Tottenham manager Frank told TNT Sports in a post-match interview.

“We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the score was 2-1. Then it shifted the momentum but I’m so proud of the team, players, club and fans.”

Danish manager Frank, who joined Tottenham in the close season from Brentford after Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou despite winning the Europa League, added that the team showed they can be “adaptable and pragmatic”.

“We needed to be that against a team like PSG, with the way we wanted to defend with both high pressure and a low block. The first half was almost perfect and the set-pieces were very dangerous,” he explained.

“In one game, I think we have shown we can play against any team in the world. I’m not in doubt that we can do that and that’s a positive to take away from this.”

The North London club now begin their preparations for the new Premier League season, starting their campaign with a home game against newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday.

Tottenham had a dismal domestic season last time, finishing 17th with 38 points from as many matches – escaping the relegation zone by one spot.