Frank confident Spurs will be 'incredibly competitive' against PSG / Photo: Marco BERTORELLO - AFP
Frank confident Spurs will be 'incredibly competitive' against PSG
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank said Tuesday he is expecting his team to be "incredibly competitive" in his first game in charge against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.
The former Brentford boss could not have been given a tougher opening match in the Spurs dug-out, facing a PSG side who romped to their maiden Champions League title with a 5-0 thumping of Inter Milan in May.
"I am convinced we will be incredibly competitive tomorrow," Frank told reporters ahead of Wednesday's game in Udine.
"Paris are, of course, further down the line in terms of their peak performance, but we are ready for the match...
"For everyone involved in Tottenham it's a massive game, a big challenge and a great opportunity. We will definitely embrace it and give everything. We are playing an ok team, but we are ready for it."
Tottenham ended a 17-year wait for a major trophy with victory over Manchester United in last season's Europa League final.
But it was not enough to save then-coach Ange Postecoglou from the sack after they stumbled to a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League.
Dane Frank was brought in with the job to achieve some consistency, after taking Brentford to a top-10 finish in the Premier League in his seventh campaign at the helm.
"Thomas Frank has come in and brought a lot of energy," said experienced defender Ben Davies.
"The lads are really enjoying working under him, and it's very exciting. We're hoping the work we've put in so far will pay dividends tomorrow night."
It will be Spurs' first outing since forward Son Heung-min's departure for LAFC in the United States, while James Maddison is also absent after suffering a serious knee injury during a pre-season friendly.
"We feel his loss but the senior guys have to be there to support everyone," Davies said of Son's exit.
"We need to make sure we, as experienced players, stand up and make sure we let every player in this team be the player they are."
Striker Dominic Solanke is fit to play following injury, however, Frank said midfielder Yves Bissouma had been left out for "disciplinary reasons".
Spurs have signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham to bolster their attacking options and he could be in line to make his debut against PSG.
Eberechi Eze has been heavily linked with a possible move across London from Crystal Palace, but Frank declined to comment on the club's reported interest in the England winger.
A.Wallace--EWJ
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