Tottenham fell to a bruising defeat against PSG in a game that swung wildly from hope to frustration under the Champions League lights, leaving Thomas Frank facing unwanted questions after another chaotic display.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from PSG 5-3 Tottenham:
Tottenham throw away chance to earn a huge result
Coming into this Champions League fixture off the back of a derby day defeat, no doubt added more pressure on Tottenham, who will have been desperate to secure a victory in a fixture that required composure and conviction under the lights.
Spurs started this Champions League encounter against PSG brilliantly, taking the lead after some solid defensive work.
However, that lead did not last thanks to a Vitinha strike, and although Tottenham went ahead again in the second half, PSG clawed their way back before eventually moving in front, and at that stage the game drifted away from Frank’s side.
Given how the night unfolded, it does feel like a missed opportunity for a huge result, because had Spurs seen things through, the pressure on Frank and this group would have eased, and some belief would have been restored, yet the defeat only piles on the weight already sitting on the Dane.
Tottenham concede nine goals in two games as creative midfielders run riot
It all seems to be unravelling for Thomas Frank, whose once steady start is now beginning to resemble the early weeks of Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure, where initial promise faded quickly.
Frank began well, with organised displays both in attack and in defence, and Tottenham conceded just one goal in their first five outings, which highlighted how disciplined the structure appeared at the time.
However, cracks have appeared sharply, and the defensive base that Frank received plaudits for is now creaking badly, because nine goals conceded across the last two games is a poor look for this side, especially when they are being beaten by long-range efforts from central creative players.
Spurs often operate with a double pivot, but in the last two matches, they have been nowhere to be seen when Eze and Vitinha have aimed at distance, and although Frank spoke about the importance of winning duels after the Arsenal game, that focus was once again completely absent.
Randal Kolo Muani announces himself at Spurs
It was not entirely doom for Tottenham, as the one major positive from the night was the performance of Randal Kolo Muani, who finally looked like the forward Spurs believed they were signing.
The Frenchman delivered a brace and an assist, with two well-taken goals that highlighted his instincts as a forward, because the first was an instinctive finish and the second a blend of quick feet and a touch of fortunate ricochet.
Spurs need a consistent goal scorer, and Muani looked like he could step into those boots. Beyond the goals, he also linked play effectively and showed a willingness to be involved throughout the match.
Thomas Frank rolls out 4-2-2-2 shape in search of stability
Tonight also produced another shift in shape from Thomas Frank, who is still searching for a settled formation despite a full pre-season and 12 league matches already behind him.
Rather than a back five, it was a 4-2-2-2 structure, and although it looked relatively compact during the early exchanges, it all fell apart once the third PSG goal went in and the momentum swung decisively.
You do feel for the manager at times, because this squad often struggles to maintain a tactical plan across a full 90 minutes, and while Frank is clearly willing to adapt, it remains to be seen which shape he turns to on Saturday against Fulham.
Spurs may need three wins from final three games to reach Champions League top eight
Tottenham suffered their first Champions League defeat of the season at the hands of the holders, leaving their top-eight hopes slightly more delicate but not beyond reach.
They sit just two points off eighth-placed Sporting, so nothing is gone yet, although the reality is that Spurs will likely need to win all three of their remaining fixtures to give themselves the strongest possible chance of making the next round.
At home in Europe, Spurs are usually close to flawless, and with two home ties coming up against Slavia Prague on Tuesday, 9 December, and Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, 20 January, followed by an away trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday, 28 January, Frank’s side could still navigate their way into the automatic qualification spots.