Frank’s formation moved away from the five-man defense that sparked so much fury against Arsenal, operating with a traditional back four protected by Rodrigo Bentancur and Archie Gray. He paired Richarlison and Kolo Muani up front with good results.
It was also the line-up that suggested Frank might have had one eye on Saturday night’s key home game against Fulham, with Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons all out.
Spurs, however, were no worse until they were submerged under the quality of PSG, Frank’s team tirelessly out of possession using a man-for-man strategy that Luis Enrique’s team initially struggled to combat, moving up the pitch in a way that seemed foreign to Arsenal.
Spurs were pressing high, looking to win the ball back with a real competitive advantage. This, at least, looked like something of a Thomas Frank team-up, despite the painful end result.
Frank was furious at his team’s lack of aggression at Arsenal, visibly grimacing when he pointed out that they only won 17 of 53 duels and second-ball situations.
The commitment cannot be questioned here, but Spurs were undone by momentary lapses that always risk suffering the final punishment against PSG.
Frank said: “I’m very happy with the performance. This was very much the team identity, the bravery and the aggressiveness of the team.
“There were a lot of positives, the two forwards scored three goals between them, the whole team played very well. The performance was to get something out of the game, but then you need to have the margins with you, but we can’t concede some of the goals we scored.”
Spurs looked to take a deserved 1-0 lead at half-time, only to pull the plug after a set-piece, allowing the brilliant Vitinha to equalise.
It happened again when Pape Matar Sarr, with the score at 2-2, carelessly gave up possession just before the hour mark, and the mistake ended when Fabián Ruiz put PSG ahead for the first time.
Vitinha, a star player in PSG’s Champions League victory, was the decisive player with two impressive strikes to end Spurs’ lead, one with his right foot and one with his left.
Frank said: “Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d’Or winner.”
PSG simply proved too good in the end, but Spurs also responded somewhat to justified criticism about their lack of threat, with Richarlison and Kolo Muani contributing three goals between them.
It was a good night for Kolo Muani, who saw his attempt to make an impact on Spurs slowed by a dead leg and a broken jaw, limiting him to just four starts and 345 minutes of action before this game.
Former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “What I will say is that Tottenham had a different attitude. Their application, their work rate, their pressing, started higher up the pitch. “There was a lot more to be positive about.
“Unlike last weekend, Frank can point out the things that went wrong instead of scratching his head and thinking he didn’t recognize his team.”
The scene now shifts to the vital home game against Fulham, where Frank must once again convince his detractors that he has a foundation to build on.
