Tottenham's Comeback Plan: Frank Vows Bold Rebound Against PSG

Paris Build: Frank's Blueprint

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank insisted he is not thinking about retreating despite the rough spell the team is going through, stressing that Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League will be a chance to show a response after the heavy defeat to Arsenal.

Tottenham are currently in the French capital to take on the defending champions, just days after a heavy 4-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal, a loss that followed a string of performances in a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, increasing pressure on Frank even though Wednesday's match will be his 20th in charge.

During a lengthy interview with the press Parc des Princes, Frank stressed his belief in his ability to build a project within the club, saying: Part of taking on this job is facing challenges. Of course I would have loved to be here after beating Arsenal and then PSG, but we lost badly. Part of it is dealing with setbacks, learning from them, and moving forward.

Paris Build: Frank's Blueprint (continued)

And he added that there is one thing 1000 percent certain: I know how to build a team and a club. We will do it. We will learn, especially from tough times, because they show how we respond when behind. The best teams move, run hard, and stay consistent.

He explained that in his first four months with Tottenham he learned a lot about players and individuals, and that those lessons must translate into finding the ideal formula on pitch, adding: With the return of players, and playing every three days, this is a big challenge, but welcome.

Frank admitted that analyzing the derby loss to Arsenal was tough, and said the staff held meetings with players to discuss the expected reaction.

He noted that the team lost 36 of 53 tackles, and said today: If you don’t do the basics, it’s very hard to win a football match.

Today we face one of Europe’s best teams away from home, a great challenge, and we are 100% ready; I am convinced we will return with a good performance.

He also used Louis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain example as a benchmark, noting that the French coach faced big battles in his first season after Mbappe’s departure and still led the club to European glory in just one year, adding that Enrique reshaped reliance on stars to empower others and forged one of the world’s best teams.

He added: Enrique reshaped everything, from relying on the biggest stars to using lesser-known but more determined players who play for the team, and he built one of the world’s best squads.

Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson will miss Wednesday’s game due to a red card against Copenhagen, while Wilson Odobier returns to Parc des Princes, where he spent five years in the academy before moving on in 2022 to Troon and then to Burnley and Tottenham.

Odobier, now 20, recalled during the press conference the moment in 2019 when he was a ball boy before a Champions League match, smiling, Yes, I remember carrying the UEFA flag, and it’s wonderful to return as a player.

He said: It felt like a dream, but I have goals now; I am not a child anymore. I want to give my best for the team.

Tottenham sit twelfth in the Champions League group standings on eight points, one behind Paris Saint-Germain in seventh place as of now.

Positive Memories

In related news, PSG and Tottenham will meet on Wednesday evening at Parc des Princes with positive memories, as UEFA has assigned German referee Felix Tfair to oversee the match.

Tfair also presided over several notable continental clashes, such as Spain’s penalty victory over Croatia in the 2023 Nations League final, the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United, and England’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final staged in Germany.

Also reported that Tfair is set for his fourth visit to Parc des Princes, PSG's home, having previously overseen PSG’s 2-1 win over Arsenal in last season’s semifinal second leg, the 2022 group-stage win against Maccabi Haifa 7-2, and the 2018 draw with Napoli.

And the paper noted Tfair has extensive experience in European competitions since his first appearance in the Champions League in 2015; he has refereed 39 matches.

Tfair also steered several notable continental clashes, such as Spain beating Croatia on penalties in the 2023 Nations League final, the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United, and England’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinal held in Germany.

Thus, an experienced referee will oversee the decisive match on Wednesday at Parc des Princes, as PSG aim to overcome their 1-2 loss at home to Bayern Munich in the previous round tonight there.

And the French newspaper concluded: Thus, an experienced referee will oversee the decisive match on Wednesday at Parc des Princes, as PSG aim to overcome their 1-2 loss at home to Bayern Munich in the latest round tonight there.

Punchline 1: Tottenham’s plan is simple—attack the problem, then attack the problem again, just to be sure the problem learned its lesson.

Punchline 2: PSG’s defense is so tight, even the ball files a restraining order for crossing the line.