It doesn’t matter what, historical past might be made within the UEFA Tremendous Cup on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham meet in Italy. The winners of the Champions League and the Europa League this previous season, neither membership have beforehand received a serious European title (PSG did win the 2001 Intertoto Cup), and due to that, they’ve additionally by no means lifted this trophy, one which marks the top of the preseason earlier than main European leagues return to play.
After PSG fell within the Membership World Cup last to Chelsea, they’re going to need to rapidly transfer previous that outcome, whereas there can be no higher begin to the Thomas Frank period at Tottenham than knocking off PSG. After dropping star midfielder James Maddison to an ACL damage that can sideline him for many of the season, this match might be an opportunity for Frank to present that his workforce is prepared for the season regardless of the losses, squaring off in opposition to one of many high golf equipment on the earth.
Learn how to watch PSG vs. Tottenham, odds
- Date: Wednesday, Aug. 13 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Bluenergy Stadium — Udine, Italy
- TV: CBS Sports Network | Stay stream: Paramount+
- Odds: PSG -240; Draw +380; Tottenham +600
The CWC might have been a bump within the highway for PSG, however nothing can erase their illustrious Champions League last victory over Inter in Could, profitable 5-0. Dropping this match would create doubt heading into the brand new Ligue 1 season, particularly with modifications probably coming to the goalkeeping division, the place Gianluigi Donnarumma has been omitted of the touring squad for this match and appears to be like on his means out. PSG have already added Lucas Chevalier from Lille to start out between the sticks, however the bounce to PSG is a big one. He’ll have to deal with extra strain, and it is no assure that issues will work out from the beginning regardless of Chevalier being a top quality keeper
Tottenham have their very own participant omitted of the squad for this match in Yves Bissouma. Frank cited lateness as the explanation for him lacking out as a consequence of disciplinary causes, however with Joao Palhinha becoming a member of on mortgage from Bayern Munich, Frank has enough depth in defensive midfield to deal with this absence. Bissouma is somebody who has been linked with a transfer away from Tottenham and issues like lateness may very well be the ultimate straw in pushing a transfer.
PSG have added to their defensive corps with the addition of Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth, however the largest looming query is round if this can be a workforce prepared to start out the season. PSG have performed soccer nonstop with just one month between taking part in within the Membership World Cup last and the UEFA Tremendous Cup last. In the meantime, whereas it took Tottenham a couple of weeks through the offseason to herald Frank, they’ve had a standard offseason free from additional matches to arrange. Each will instantly kick off their league seasons over the weekend following this match, making it litmus check to see the place every is.
PSG’s press beneath Luis Enrique has been one of many hallmarks of their success, however they ran out of steam within the Membership World Cup last. If the layoff wasn’t sufficient to regain stamina to press for 90 minutes, it might open an opportunity for Tottenham to catch PSG on the break and defy the percentages. Tottenham’s protection is predicted to enhance beneath Frank and dealing with PSG’s assault will carry an opportunity to check that. Contemplating the questions either side are dealing with, this Tremendous Cup last might set the tone for the season forward.
