What did we learn about Frank’s Tottenham?published at 08:10 British Summer Time

08:10 BST

PSG 2-2 Tottenham (4-3 on pens)

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Media caption,

Van De Ven reacts fastest to give Spurs lead over PSG in Super Cup

There’s work to be done for Tottenham; their late collapse was evidence of that.

Indeed, it should concern Frank that his team wilted at the first sign of pressure against a side who have had just two pre-season training sessions in the bag.

But for the vast majority of this Uefa Super Cup meeting that ultimately ended in penalty heartache, there were enough signs to suggest Frank has the basis of a system and approach that can be built on.

His 3-5-2 formation was certainly a move away from last season’s set up but you get the feeling Frank will be flexible depending on the challenge in the coming months, something his predecessor was often accused of not being.

Inside the opening 10 minutes, the approach was entirely noticeable. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario kicked long five times as Tottenham opted to keep their shape higher up the pitch rather than collect the ball deep inside their own half and pass their way up the field.

Ange Postecoglou’s high-risk approach was easy on the eye but the final 18 months of his reign at Tottenham – despite that euphoric Europa League win in Bilbao last May – told us the Australian’s methods weren’t working.

This was a Tottenham performance less to do with capturing the imagination than capturing the victory.

For example, Postecoglou was maligned for a perceived lack of attention to detail in regard to preparing for set-pieces.

It was significant, then, that both of Tottenham’s goals arrived via dead balls.

Expect Frank’s Tottenham to excel at set-pieces in their own penalty box, too.

His Brentford side conceded only three Premier League goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) last season – three fewer than any other team in the division.

Offensively, Brentford were also one of the strongest. Only four teams – Arsenal (14), Crystal Palace, Aston Villa (both 16) and Nottingham Forest (17) – scored from more Premier League set-pieces last season.

Here in Udine, there were clear indicators that Spurs will develop such strength in the coming months.

This was an effective Tottenham display rather than an enchanting one.

Media caption,

Romero doubles Spurs lead after Chevalier error in PSG goal