Late drama saw Europa League holders Tottenham Hotspur throw away a 2-0 lead against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, before going on to lose the penalty shoot-out.
Not only was this a first major look at head coach Thomas Frank since moving across London, a few notable Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points came up.
Paris Saint-Germain *2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
*PSG won 4-3 on penalties
- Goals: Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero
- Assists: Joao Palhinha, Pedro Porro
PORRO IS TOUGH TO RESIST
Frank surprised Luis Enrique by trying a wing-back system, although those who studied his time at Brentford know that he’d often do so on trickier occasions.
In Udine, it gave attacking full-back Pedro Porro (£5.5m) even more license to get forward. Last season’s number two for crossing the ball (196) probably would’ve been first, had his minutes not been so heavily managed before May’s final.
Instead of sharing set-pieces, the Spaniard now gets to dominate them in the absence of Son Heung-min and injured pair James Maddison (£7.0m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£6.5m).
Early in the second half, Porro’s free-kick picked out an unmarked Cristian Romero (£5.0m) to double Spurs’ lead. All this makes him a compelling Fantasy option.
Furthermore, aggregated data from bookmakers says this defence is most likely to keep a Gameweek 1 clean sheet. It’s just a shame that the next match takes Tottenham to Manchester City. Then again, Frank could use this formation again, making Porro feel fixture-proof.
VAN DE VEN GOAL
Not that 25.4% owned Micky van de Ven (£4.5m) did anything wrong on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (£5.0m), in his hometown, saw his long free-kick be headed into the box. Joao Palhinha‘s (£5.5m) subsequent shot was tipped onto the crossbar but landed at van de Ven’s feet, giving Spurs a deserved lead.
However, after a season hindered by hamstring problems, the slight concern over his minutes being managed was worsened when seeing Kevin Danso (£4.5m) launch some threatening long throws. In 2024/25, Frank’s Brentford had, by far, the most attempts (48) and goals (six) derived from throw-ins.
Still, it’s probably right to assume Danso is no more than a backup.
But the night ended in agony for the Dutchman. Late PSG pressure eventually paid off when substitutes Kang-in Lee and Goncalo Ramos scored – the second deep into stoppage time.
Successive penalty shoot-out misses from van de Ven and Mathys Tel (£6.5m) then brought victory to the French capital.
“Basically, for 75 to 80 minutes, we were close to playing the perfect match, 2-0 up, that’s what makes it so brutal. Then it’s a penalty shoot-out, and that’s a flip of the coin. Many positives, but football is about winning, so it’s also brutal. In the end, key – good performances that over time, will bring us success.
“This was a good start. The players put in an unbelievable shift. They worked so hard throughout the game. We showed that we will be tactically adaptable throughout the season, whoever we’re facing. We were so close with everything in the game plan, then in football, it’s margins.” – Thomas Frank
BRIGHT NIGHT FOR KUDUS + SARR
Elsewhere, midfielders Mohammad Kudus (£6.5m) and Pape Matar Sarr (£5.0m) looked good.
The recent arrival from West Ham United had one shot blocked and made three key passes, also throwing himself towards a Richarlison (£6.5m) header that proceeded to hit the post.
He has a larger ownership than Sarr, but the 22-year-old scored three times in pre-season and might play the number 10 role versus Burnley. He even exceeded 12 defensive contribution actions, which would’ve brought in two extra FPL points.
Of course, the potential signing of Eberechi Eze (£7.5m) could dent Sarr’s appeal over a longer period.
LIMITED SOLANKE MINUTES
Managers hoping to begin with Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) won’t be happy that his first minutes since 19th July were merely a cameo appearance.
Unless Frank makes a promise in his press conference, we can’t now assume he’ll start against the Clarets.
NO UDOGIE OR JOHNSON
Similarly, the initial excitement over Destiny Udogie‘s (£4.5m) price feels like a long time ago. He hurt his knee when warming up to face Luton Town and won’t be ready for these opening weeks.
Doubts over Solanke might have started a Brennan Johnson (£7.0m) bandwagon, as an alternative route into their attack. But the club’s top FPL scorer of last season couldn’t get off the bench on this occasion. His minutes are therefore too risky.
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario; Danso, Romero, van de Ven; Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha (Gray 72), Spence; Sarr (Bergvall 90); Kudus (Tel 79), Richarlison (Solanke 72)
