Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain are set to clash in the European Super Cup on Wednesday, a showpiece between last season’s Champions League winners and Europa League champions. The match, staged at Udine’s Stadio Friuli, doubles as a high-stakes early-season test for both sides.
Tottenham’s new era under Thomas Frank begins with a trophy opportunity, while PSG, guided by Luis Enrique, aim to reaffirm their standing as Europe’s standard-bearers after a dramatic 3-0 Club World Cup final loss to Chelsea last month. The two clubs have spent the summer adjusting, with PSG’s recruitment leaning toward depth and future stars, and Spurs trying to reshape a squad hit by injuries and departures.
What to know about the two squads
PSG
– The defending French champions come off a chastening setback in the Club World Cup final, where Chelsea exposed weaknesses in a high-intensity display. Yet their recent form remains formidable, having sealed multiple titles in the previous year.
– Reinforcements include Illia Zabarnyi, added to bolster the center of defense, and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille. Donnarumma is not in the squad amid ongoing transfer chatter, so Chevalier or No. 2 Matvei Safonov could start.
– Midfielder Joao Neves is suspended for the match after a red card in the Club World Cup final.
– PSG’s core remains largely intact, with Dembele’s clever movement and Hakimi/Mendes providing width and threat from full-back positions.
Tottenham
– Thomas Frank’s first competitive game in charge is under scrutiny, with the club still adjusting after a summer of changes. An injury to James Maddison in preseason has left the midfield light on creativity, though Joao Palhinha’s arrival should help balance the team.
– Tottenham have been active in the transfer market, with Son Heung-min departing for Los Angeles FC and rumors linking the side to Winger Savinho as they seek to fill gaps up front and in the engine room.
– Notable gaps: Dominic Solanke has not featured in preseason and might not be fit to start; Maddison’s absence leaves a void that Frank will need to fill with midweek options and incoming or emerging talent.
How seriously are they taking it?
PSG have treated the European Super Cup with the seriousness it deserves, given their recent European pedigree and Enrique’s emphasis on building a cohesive, attacking unit. Tottenham, under Frank, view it as a genuine opportunity to win silverware early in his tenure and to send a message about their competitiveness ahead of the Champions League campaign.
Strengths and key matchups
– PSG’s control and ball dominance will test Spurs’ new-look midfield and defense. Expect the PSG full-backs, Hakimi on the right and Mendes on the left, to push high and become dangerous in the box with underlapping runs.
– For Tottenham, the game could hinge on quick transitions and exploiting spaces on the break. The arrival of Palhinha should give them more steel in midfield, while options such as Tel, Johnson, Kudus, and Odobert offer pace and directness in wide areas.
– Ousmane Dembele’s fluid positioning for PSG could complicate Tottenham’s defensive shape, particularly if he drifts into central zones to create and link play.
What managers have said
PSG’s Luis Enrique has stressed a relentless drive to win all the major domestic and European trophies, insisting the team must keep improving in both attack and defense to sustain their success.
Tottenham’s Thomas Frank has framed the match as a massive but hopeful challenge, suggesting it’s an opportunity for him and the club to prove their progress on the continent as they build toward a strong season.
Why this game matters
– It’s a chance for Spurs to vindicate their summer work and begin the Frank era with silverware, while PSG look to demonstrate they remain Europe’s defining force despite recent setbacks.
– The result could offer early indicators of how both teams will navigate a busy campaign, with squad depth and tactical flexibility likely to determine their prospects in domestic leagues and European competitions.
A quick read on players to watch
– PSG: Ousmane Dembele’s central role and movement, the durability and distribution of the back line with Zabarnyi, and whether Chevalier can seize a starting spot given Donnarumma’s uncertain future.
– Tottenham: Palhinha’s defensive presence, the creativity missing with Maddison out, and how Spurs’ attack evolves without Son and with newly integrated attackers.
Bottom line
Wednesday’s clash promises a tactical, high-stakes duel between a PSG side aiming to reaffirm its European dominance and a Tottenham team eager to stamp their authority under a new manager. With both squads dealing with injuries, new signings, and the pressure to deliver results early, the European Super Cup will offer a valuable window into how the season might unfold for each club. The match could set the tone for one or both campaigns and provide a glimmer of optimism for supporters as the new season ramps up.