The tactical plan Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank produced in his coaching debut for the North London powerhouse was nothing short of impeccable, though it was technically short of flawless, since Spurs somewhow managed to throw away a 2-0 lead in the dying embers of the match before an inspid performance in the penalty shootout handed a comeback victory to PSG.
Overall, there were more positives than problems for Tottenham in what was nearly a statement-making upset win over the reigning Champions League winners, but the bitterness of the disappointment of yet another blown game is left dangling on the lips of the Spurs faithful.
It is entirely obvious that if Tottenham can't beat a Champions League opponent even with a perfect gameplan, the problem lies with the players. Frank is everything he was advertised to be to Spurs fans as a tactician, but even he can't paper over mental calamities and the inability to find a killer pass.
The injury to James Maddison has exposed Tottenham's depth and attacking quality problems further, and in the aftermath of the gutwrenching defeat to the Parisians, Frank made it crystal clear to everyone that he wants more help, "We'd like to strengthen the squad - no doubt about that.â
Tottenham are running out of options
Although the ever gracious and diplomatic Frank stated he was "very, very proud" of his players for stepping up to the Champions of Europe, even the most optimsitic people would admit that Spurs can't go into the 2025/26 Premier League and Champions League seasons with the current version of the squad and expect to compete at a top-five level in England - let alone at a quarterfinals level in Europe.
Tottenham don't have many credible options left in the transfer window with time ticking, but there are still legitimate top players who are proven at the Premier League level. Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace and Manchester City's Brazilian winger Savinho are chief among those options, and Frank's statement is a challenge to Daniel Levy and the Tottenham brass to go out and bring those guys in.
If Tottenham don't, the consequences could be more blown games like this one, especially as injuries inevitably mount further for the perennially unlucky Lilywhites. Tottenham have to learn by now that champions make their own luck, and that all begins in the summer transfer window inside the boardroom. Spurs cannot make the mistake of failing to adequately plan, particularly when their failings smacked them in the face in the span of 10 minutes on Wednesday night in Udine.