Tottenham Hotspur may have left Paris empty-handed, but manager Thomas Frank walked away from the Parc des Princes insisting he had finally seen the identity he has been trying to build since arriving at the club. Despite a dramatic 5–3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Spurs delivered a spirited performance that contrasted sharply with their heavily criticised display against Arsenal just days earlier.
Before a ball was kicked, Frank was defiant. He declared he was “1,000% sure” he knew how to build a successful team and a successful club — bold words at a time when sections of the Tottenham fanbase were voicing frustration over recent results and tactics.
Their latest test could hardly have been tougher. PSG, the defending Champions League champions and a side that swept aside several Premier League giants last season, presented one of the most intimidating challenges in European football. Yet for more than an hour, Spurs showed fight, belief and creativity inside one of Europe’s most hostile stadiums.
A Fierce Champions League Night in Paris
The atmosphere in Paris was classic Champions League theatre — fireworks, pyrotechnics and a relentless drumbeat echoing around Parc des Princes. But amid the spectacle, Tottenham looked ready to compete.
Frank’s side stunned the home crowd by taking the lead twice, first through Richarlison and later through Randal Kolo Muani, who scored twice against his parent club. For long spells, PSG’s usually ferocious Virage Auteuil ultras were unusually muted, as Spurs disrupted the rhythm and flow of Luis Enrique’s team.
But as the game wore on, PSG’s quality came roaring back. In a devastating 12-minute spell, the French champions scored three goals and turned the match on its head — a reminder of the fine margins that define elite European football.
Frank admitted those moments proved costly, but insisted the overall performance reflected the bravery and intensity he expects.
“This was much more the identity of the team — the bravery, the aggressiveness,”
Frank said. “There were lots of positives. But we cannot concede the goals we did.”
A Shift in System: Frank Abandons Five-Back Setup
Much of the criticism after the derby loss to Arsenal centred on Frank’s use of a five-man defence, which supporters felt surrendered too much initiative. In Paris, however, Frank reverted to a more conventional shape: a four-man back line shielded by Rodrigo Bentancur and young midfielder Archie Gray.
Up front, the pairing of Richarlison and Kolo Muani offered pace, pressure and end product — something Spurs sorely lacked at the weekend.
Despite resting several key players ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham — including Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons — Tottenham looked far more cohesive. Their aggressive, man-for-man pressing unsettled PSG early on, a complete contrast from the passive and error-ridden showing at the Emirates.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised the energy of the performance:
“Tottenham had a different attitude. Their work rate, their pressing — it was so much better. Frank will actually be able to pinpoint what went wrong, instead of wondering why the team looked unrecognisable.”
Spurs’ Biggest Problem: Costly Mistakes in Crucial Moments
Even with improved intensity, Tottenham were undone by avoidable lapses.
A set-piece miscommunication allowed Vitinha to equalise before half-time. Later, a misplaced pass from Pape Matar Sarr gifted PSG the opportunity to take their first lead of the night, seized clinically by Fabián Ruiz.
Vitinha, already a Champions League standout last season, took control of the match with two spectacular strikes — one with each foot. Frank went as far as calling him the future best player in the world.
“Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d’Or winner.”
While Spurs’ defensive structure crumbled in key moments, their attacking output was a bright spot. Richarlison looked sharp, and Kolo Muani produced his best performance in a Spurs shirt after injury setbacks reduced him to just 345 minutes of action this season.
Moving Forward: A Vital Premier League Test Awaits
Despite conceding nine goals in two matches, the mood around Spurs feels slightly more optimistic. Frank has made it clear that his project requires time, trust and stability. Against PSG, his players showed the aggression, structure and intent he believes will form the foundation of Tottenham’s future.
Now, the challenge becomes consistency — and rebuilding momentum.
Saturday’s home match against Fulham is pivotal. A win would ease pressure and reinforce the belief that progress is being made behind the scenes.
Robinson summarised the mood:
“There was a lot more to be positive about. Spurs looked like a Thomas Frank team again.”
Whether this is a turning point or just a spirited one-off performance remains to be seen, but Tottenham left Paris with more than just a defeat — they left with an identity.
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