Spurs boss Frank can take some encouragement from PSG defeat

Frank’s formation moved away from the five-man defence that drew so much fury against Arsenal, operating with a traditional back four protected by Rodrigo Bentancur and Archie Gray. He paired Richarlison and Kolo Muani up front to good effect.

It was also a line-up that suggested Frank may have had one eye on Saturday night’s key home game against Fulham, with Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons left out.

Spurs, however were none the worse for that until they were submerged by PSG’s quality. Frank’s team were tireless out of possession using a man-for-man strategy which Luis Enrique’s side initially struggled to combat, getting up the pitch in a manner that seemed alien to them at Arsenal.

Spurs pressed high, looking to win the ball back with a real competitive edge. This, at least, looked something like a Thomas Frank team, despite the painful end result.

Frank was furious at his team’s lack of aggression at Arsenal, visibly grimacing when he pointed out they only won 17 out of 53 duels and second-ball situations.

Commitment could not be questioned here, but Spurs were undone by momentary lapses that always risk being punished by a side as good as PSG.

Frank said: “I am very pleased with the performance. This was much more the identity of the team, the bravery and aggressiveness of the team.

“There were lots of positives, the two strikers scoring three goals between them, the whole team performed really well.

“The performance was to get something out of the game but then you need to have the margins with you, but we can’t concede some of the goals we did.”

Frank placed his faith in youth for the Champions League tie, deploying 19-year-old duo Gray and Lucas Bergvall, who both played a role in Richarlison’s opener.

Gray, making his first appearance since the goalless draw against Monaco on 22 October after a calf injury, was eager to focus on the positives.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose games of football and we’re not happy after that one, but we’ve got more positives to take from this game than the last game,” Gray said.

“I think every club wants to play entertaining football and sometimes when you play teams like PSG you obviously have to alter that a little bit. They have that individual quality where they can take you apart in literally one moment.”

Spurs looked like taking a deserved 1-0 lead into the interval, only to switch off after a set-piece, allowing the brilliant Vitinha to equalise.

It happened again when Pape Matar Sarr, with the score 2-2, carelessly ceded possession just before the hour, the mistake ending with Fabian Ruiz putting PSG ahead for the first time.

Vitinha, a stellar performer in PSG’s Champions League triumph last season, was the decisive performer with two stunning strikes to snuff out the Spurs lead, one with his right foot another with his left.

Frank said: “Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d’Or winner.”

PSG simply proved too good in the end, but Spurs also went some way to answering justified criticism about a lack of threat, with Richarlison and Kolo Muani providing three goals between them.

It was a good night for Kolo Muani, who has seen his attempt to make an impact at Spurs held back by a dead leg and a broken jaw, restricting him to just four starts and 345 minutes of action before this game.

Former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “What I will say is that Tottenham had a different attitude. Their application, their work-rate, their pressing, they started higher up the field. There was a lot more to be positive about.

“Unlike at the weekend Frank can put his finger on things that went wrong rather than scratching his head and thinking he didn’t recognise his team.”

The scenery now shifts to the vital home game against Fulham – where Frank must again convince his detractors he has foundations to build on.