Tottenham manager Thomas Frank backs his team to bounce back against PSG in the Champions League following their heavy North London derby loss to Arsenal
PARIS: Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank insists his team can recover from their North London derby humiliation when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Frank acknowledged his team’s poor performance in Sunday’s 4-1 Premier League defeat away to Arsenal.
“I watched the game back and it was not good. It was a bad performance,” Frank told reporters in the French capital.
The Danish manager said his players showed intent but failed to execute their plans effectively against their rivals.
He described the upcoming match against PSG as a challenging opportunity for redemption.
“Now we are facing another of the best teams in Europe away from home so it is a nice challenge that we are 100 percent up for and I am convinced we will bounce back with a good performance.”
Spurs lost to PSG on penalties in August’s UEFA Super Cup but have made a solid start to their Champions League campaign.
Last season’s Europa League winners remain unbeaten after four matches in the competition’s league phase.
They currently sit tenth in the 36-team standings with eight points, one point behind reigning champions PSG.
However, Tottenham’s form has been inconsistent across all competitions recently.
Their 4-0 victory over FC Copenhagen in their last European outing represents their only win in five matches.
The team has managed just three victories in eleven games dating back to late September.
This poor run includes derby defeats to both Arsenal and Chelsea, increasing pressure on Frank.
“Part of taking this job was to sit here and have the challenges,” said the manager about handling setbacks.
Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou before this season and acknowledges needing time to implement his ideas.
“I know how to build a team and we will do that, and along the way we will learn and the big thing is learning from the bad spells.”
Meanwhile, French striker Randal Kolo Muani hopes to make an impact against his parent club PSG.
The loanee continues searching for his first Tottenham goal after joining from the French champions.
“Kolo was very happy to join Tottenham and we were happy to have him, but then he got a dead leg, and then a broken jaw, plus he came and was not at top fitness, so he has been playing a little bit catch-up,” Frank explained.
The manager remains optimistic about the striker’s future contributions despite his slow start.
“But I am convinced we will see more and more good stuff from him.” – AFP
