Tottenham show fighting spirit but ultimately fall short against PSG in Champions League

Good evening, and welcome to live coverage of Paris Saint-Germain vs Tottenham Hotspur from the Champions League, as Thomas Frank’s men look to bounce back from their thumping in the north London derby with a rematch of this summer’s Super Cup. 

Spurs were beaten 4-1 at the Emirates on Sunday, with their summer target Eberechi Eze bagging a hat-trick for the hosts, and despite their goal, Frank’s side mustered an xG of just 0.07 in what was an unambitious performance, to say the least.

It means they have now won just one of their last five games in all competitions, though that victory was a 4-0 thumping over Copenhagen in the Champions League, a competition that has offered them some respite away from a difficult period domestically.

The emphatic performance against the Danish champions, characterised by Micky Van de Ven’s sensational solo goal, extended their unbeaten start in Europe’s elite competition this season. 

Frank’s side remain just one of four sides to have not suffered defeat so far, having won twice and drawn twice in the first half of the league phase. That record sees them come into tonight’s action sitting 12th in the standings, and a win this evening could take them as high as fourth.

The north London side will be seeking revenge after losing out against PSG in the Super Cup in August, with the French side scoring two late goals to come back from 2-0 down before sealing glory on penalties. 

The European champions have started their latest Champions League campaign with three wins from four, registering successive victories over Atalanta, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen before suffering a defeat at home to Bayern Munich last time out. 

The Parisians, who sit two points clear at the top of Ligue 1, have struggled with injuries in the opening months of this season, and will be without Achraf Hakimi and Desire Doue tonight, while Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is expected to start on the bench as he makes his return from a hamstring injury. 

Luis Enrique’s men come into tonight’s game already in the top eight of the league phase standings and could climb up to second with a win in the French capital, depending on results elsewhere.