Greg . 2 days ago

How PSG won the UEFA Super Cup despite a spirited Tottenham Hotspur performance

After waiting 17 years for their first major trophy of any description, Tottenham Hotspur had the opportunity to make it two out of two when they faced Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup Final at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Changes in the dugout saw Thomas Frank in charge of the North Londoners after Ange Postecoglou was cast aside by Daniel Levy after that fateful night in Bilbao back in May.

PSG vs Tottenham - UEFA Super Cup Final Line-UpsBetopickWithin the opening three minutes, Spurs had already got two shots away, albeit off target, as they took the game to the Champions League winners in much the same way as Chelsea had done in the Club World Cup Final.

Just as they have in many previous games, PSG dominated the possession, but they were finding that Tottenham held firm at the back and then lofted balls up to Richarlison, which began to cause untold problems for them, whether it be the Brazilian firing off shots or bringing his teammates into play with astute knockdowns.

Tottenham take the leadWhen Micky van de Ven smashed home the opener on 38, it was the result of another high ball, this time to Cristian Romero.

The Argentinian, who won two of his three aerial duels, directed his looping header into the danger area, and though PSG's goalkeeping debutant, Lucas Chevalier, was equal to Rodrigo Bentancur's stabbed effort, the Dutchman was alert to the possibilities.

It was no more than Spurs deserved because, for all PSG's ball control - 74.

1% possession across the entirety of the match - they'd only managed three shots to that point, two of which were off target and the other was blocked.

As might be expected, Vitinha was heavily involved in the Ligue 1 side's forward momentum, consistently finding space in between the lines and leading Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha on a merry dance at times.

A mountain to climb for PSG​Luis Enrique had clearly identified a weakness down Tottenham's left side too, as Achraf Hakimi consistently raided, though with limited success, it must be said.

By the end of the game, both Vitinha (109) and Hakimi (112) had surpassed the century mark for passes, and were the only two players to do so from either side.

Within two minutes of the second half starting, PSG gave themselves a mountain to climb.

Another high ball into the box from Pedro Porro's free-kick found Romero all alone at the back post, and his powerful header made it 2-0 to the Lilywhites.

Chevalier, Luis Enrique's choice at the expense of Gianluigi Donnarumma, got his hands to the ball but only succeeded in palming it into the net.

If that's the shape of things to come, the coach may live to regret his judgment.

Subs changed the gameAfter what was a disappointing performance by his own standards, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was substituted on the hour.

Though he'd managed four touches in the opposition box as PSG pressed, his all-around contribution wasn't nearing what he is capable of, and 30 total touches in the game was way down on what many of his colleagues offered up on the night.

Three more substitutions over the next quarter hour would end up changing the course of the game late on, as PSG began to exert their authority.

After Porro's blocked shot just before the hour mark, Spurs were being forced further and further back.

Five shots from PSG before their first goal, a beautiful strike from outside the box from sub Lee Kang-in on 84, was enough evidence that a backs-against-the-wall defensive performance from Thomas Frank's side was going to be needed if they wanted to see out the game.

With Porro and Djed Spence starting to lose the ball with alarming regularity, any hold that Spurs had on the game was getting looser as the minutes ticked by.

PSG vs Tottenham - UEFA Super Cup Final Player RatingsBetopickAs the crosses came thick and fast - 25 for PSG by the end of the match - it seemed inevitable that one late opportunity would find its target.

That's exactly what happened with two minutes of injury time left as Hakimi slipped the ball to Ousmane Dembele and his whipped cross found the head of another sub, Goncalo Ramos.

Despite Spurs having a line of five defenders in the area, along with another four of their own players in the 12-yard box, none could react quickly enough.

Penalties neededWith penalties then needed to settle the encounter, it was the Premier League outfit who took the initiative after Vitinha's inexplicable miss despite sending Guglielmo Vicario the wrong way.

Unfortunately for Spurs, both van de Ven and Mathys Tel were unable to convert, leaving Nuno Mendes the opportunity to win i,t which he took with aplomb.

Though it will disappoint the North London outfit that they were the 'nearly men' again, there were glimpses of what can be expected under Thomas Frank.

They were always going to have to cede possession, but their ability to get PSG on the back foot by playing a far simpler game is certainly a blueprint that can be followed domestically.

PSG vs Tottenham Match StatsBetopickMoreover, in the industrious Mo Kudus, they had a player who created the most chances for his team (three), played the most crosses (four) and also had the third-best pass completion rate in the team of 83.

3%.

Record will show they were the losers on this occasion; however, they were more than a match for one of the best teams in the world, despite being under the cosh for long periods.

If nothing else, it's an encouraging sign and something to improve upon as the months go by.

Jason PettigroveBetopick