Why Tottenham Could Spring a Surprise Against a Depleted PSG

Ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, it is worthwhile taking a tactical deep dive as these sides meet for the second time this season.

August 13th saw last season’s Champions League and Europa League winners meet in an action-packed, back-and-forth clash at the Stadio Friuli in Italy. As the clock ticked past 85 minutes, everything pointed towards new manager Thomas Frank lifting a trophy in his first game in charge, after goals from Micky van der Ven and Cristian Romero put Spurs 2-0 up.

However, Spurs capitulated with the finish line in their sight, as PSG substitutes Kang-in Lee and Gonçalo Ramos forced extra time with goals in the final five minutes. Both players successfully converted during the penalty shootout (4-3) to set the Champions League victors on their path to victory after van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed.

Admittedly, the Spurs’ submission could have been predicted if you kept your eyes on the statistics throughout the match. In the first half, their defence was expertly marshalled by van der Ven and captain Romero, restricting PSG to no shots on target. 

However in the second half, Luis Enrique’s side showed glimpses of the attacking persistence that saw them steamroll the Champions League last season, registering eight shots on goal.

PSG vs Tottenham Preview

Frank’s side have accumulated 18 points from 12 matches so far in the Premier League, coupled with a current ninth-placed position – inning five, drawing three and losing four.

While across the English Channel, reigning and defending Ligue 1 champions PSG are sitting at the top of the standings, two points ahead of Marseille and RC Lens.

The aftermath following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal is perhaps not the preparation Thomas Frank would have hoped for, with fans lambasting a “pathetic” derby performance on social media.

PSG’s Injury Problems Could Play Into Tottenham’s Favour

Centring our attention back to Wednesday’s heavyweight Champions League clash, let’s take a secondary look back to August’s meeting in the UEFA Super Cup.

On that particular occasion, PSG threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Spurs, with winger Désiré Doué playing in a midfield three alongside Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery in a 4-3-3.

That fell perfectly into Tottenham’s hands, allowing their midfield of João Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr to overrun Enrique’s side in the middle of the pitch. Ultimately, that led to Spurs’ exploits in the final third before that horror show of a final five minutes. It’s worth mentioning that PSG were missing talismanic midfielder João Neves, who is set to start on Wednesday and Fabián Ruiz, who was only on the substitutes’ bench.

Spurs won’t be afforded that midfield luxury on Wednesday, but will be dealing with a depleted PSG attack. Doué and last season’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé will miss the match through respective hamstring and calf injuries. Another positive for Spurs is right-back Achraf Hakimi will also be absent due to an ankle injury.

There is every chance Zaïre-Emery will deputise for Hakimi, so highly-regarded Parisiens’ academy graduate Senny Mayulu could lead the attack with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola. Referencing the UEFA Super Cup match once again, Enrique clearly learned his lesson with Kvaratskhelia and Barcola replaced by Ruiz and Lee shortly after the hour mark. That saw PSG take back control of the game, so Ruiz may start at the Parc des Princes, meaning Spurs cannot overload the middle, especially with Neves being back.