Three things we learned from Tottenham's Super Cup defeat to PSG with old-school approach and transfers needed | OneFootball

New head coach took charge of his first competitive game

Distraught: Tottenham

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

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As the clock ticked into the 85th minute in Udine, Spurs held a 2-0 lead over Paris Saint-Germain and had one hand, and at least a couple of other fingers, on the UEFA Super Cup.

From the spot, Vitinha pulled his effort wide to give Spurs an initial advantage, but Mathys Tel did likewise and Van de Ven had his spot-kick saved. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

Here are three things we learned on a dramatic night in Udine...

Too pragmatic, too soon

It was a criticism of Spurs under Ange Postecoglou that they did not adapt to the circumstances of the game. Even when seemingly in control, a gung-ho approach left them vulnerable to late drama.

Spurs went about it in completely the opposite way here but they were just as vulnerable. Spurs’ pressing had rattled PSG and saw them regularly win the ball back high up the pitch, though the instinct to drop deep crept in after Romero headed in their second goal.

The problem was that came in the 48th minute. From there Kevin Danso took an age over every throw-in, changing the ball each time, while Pedro Porro and Romero went down in their own box to halt PSG attacks.

Had Spurs held on for a 2-0 win it would have been easy to put that down as smart game management, but Spurs were perhaps too keen to surrender the initiative. In the final 15 minutes, PSG’s substitutions made a difference and Spurs could not get out.

They had sat deep for much of the entire second half, with Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus offering little in the way of an out ball. PSG are too good a side, even coming off a month-long break, not to make that momentum count.

Frank’s pragmatism and tactical versatility can be a strength for Spurs, but the right balance must be found. A braver approach, sticking to what had given them control of the match, would surely have got the job done.

Deflated defenders: Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, and Kevin Danso

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Back to basics

Spurs went direct from the opening minutes and, as when Chelsea did the same thing a month ago in the Club World Cup final, PSG did not look comfortable.

Guglielmo Vicario sent free-kicks from just inside the PSG half long into the box as Spurs looked to maximise set-pieces. Andreas Georgson has wasted little time in getting to work as the mastermind behind those dead-ball situation.

Rodrigo Bentancur headed over from one corner and it was no surprise when the opening goal came in scrappy fashion.

Vicario lumped the ball into the PSG area, the ball bounced around before dropping for Joao Palhinha and his effort was tipped onto the bar. Van de Ven reacted quickest to make it 1-0.

There was almost a repeat late in the first half when Kudus flicked an effort against the post after Spurs had won the first two headers, though the offside flag went up anyway.

Spurs did do it again after the break, PSG again all at sea from set-pieces. Another free-kick, another header, another goal, this one from Romero.

Combined with Kevin Danso’s debut as Spurs’ long-throw specialist, it was a case of the scrappier, the better for Spurs in attack.

Transfer activity needed

Daniel Levy was not in attendance in Udine but Fabio Paratici, the sporting director, was. He was on the phone for much of the half-time break and Spurs need him to stay on it.

The three-man midfield of Palhinha, Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr worked hard and can do the job off the ball, but Spurs need more creativity.

There was too much onus on Richarlison and Kudus to provide the attacking spark and the absence of a player to connect them to the rest of the team became increasingly apparent as the match went.

Unlucky loser: Richarlison

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Injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have left Spurs short and it is hard to see how they can compete domestically or in Europe without filling those gaps.

Frank has made Spurs more resolute in defence and increasingly dangerous from set pieces. He now needs help to ensure they have the necessary cutting edge in open play.