Thomas Frank faces his first competitive test as Tottenham boss with silverware on the line, and three key players must deliver flawless performances to topple Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Thomas Frank’s first competitive game as Tottenham Hotspur boss is set to see him take on the champions of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, in the UEFA Super Cup final.
The Spurs boss will be desperate to secure a win in his first competitive clash as Tottenham manager and add to the club’s European trophy cabinet following their Europa League triumph in Bilbao, Spain, in May.
A victory for Frank would also see him claim his first trophy as manager, making this tie even more significant for the Dane.
However, if he is to get his hands on silverware, he will need several players to perform at their absolute peak, and we have highlighted three who could be crucial to a Tottenham victory.
Guglielmo Vicario must be solid at the back
An elite shot-stopper can be the difference between victory and defeat, especially in a final, and if Tottenham are to walk away with silverware against Paris Saint-Germain, Guglielmo Vicario must be operating at the very peak of his game.
The Italian has shown his quality but is not immune to lapses, with the occasional error in distribution from the back or in dealing with set pieces proving costly in the past.
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PSG will be primed to exploit any weaknesses on Wednesday, yet if Vicario can deliver a composed and commanding performance against one of world football’s most dangerous forward lines, Tottenham will give themselves a genuine chance of becoming European champions again.
Cristian Romero needs to be a rock at the back
Tottenham’s defenders will need to be switched on from the first whistle against the attacking threat of Ousmane Dembele and company, who will undoubtedly look to put the Spurs‘ back line under sustained pressure.
Much of the game will likely see Tottenham on the defensive, and with the quality PSG possess in the final third, the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven cannot afford any lapses in concentration.
Dembele, particularly when deployed in a false nine role, has the movement to cause serious problems for any defence, and if Tottenham’s centre-backs, especially Romero, are not aggressive and decisive in closing him down, the Frenchman could dictate the contest in dangerous areas.
Richarlison needs to be clinical
With PSG expected to dominate possession, Tottenham may be limited to only a handful of clear chances, which makes the performance of Richarlison all the more critical.
When those moments arrive, the Brazilian must be razor-sharp in front of goal, ready to seize any opportunity that comes his way, as this final could very well be decided by the smallest of margins.
Pre-season has seen Richarlison’s finishing come under scrutiny, and against a side of PSG’s calibre, any wastefulness could prove fatal, as the battle will be decided in both penalty areas.
Beyond his goalscoring, his ability to hold up play and relieve pressure will also be vital in giving Tottenham breathing room when under siege.