The new European club season kicks off under the lights in Udine on Thursday, August 14, as Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League holders Tottenham Hotspur in the European Super Cup—a clash for the first major trophy of the campaign.
PSG dominated last season: sweeping Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions, plus claiming their first Champions League title with a historic 5-0 final thrashing of Inter Milan. Though their bid for a five-trophy haul was halted by a 3-0 Club World Cup final loss to Chelsea, their strength endures. With a packed schedule, they’ve skipped pre-season, making this their 2024/25 debut.
Tottenham, under new boss Thomas Frank, have had a full pre-season with six friendlies—highs include a fine win over Arsenal in Hong Kong, lows a 4-0 drubbing by Bayern. Last term’s Europa League triumph ended a 17-year trophy drought, but poor league form led to a managerial change; this is their new era’s first test.
Last five matches form
Tottenham (pre-season): 0.8 goals & 1.4 conceded per game, 2 clean sheets, 2 goalless outings—inconsistent at both ends.
- PSG (inc. Club World Cup): 2 goals & 0.8 conceded per game, 3 clean sheets—steady in attack, solid in defense.
Key attack & defense stats (last season’s European competitions)
Attack:
Tottenham (Europa League): 12.9 shots, 5.1 on target per game; 36% shot conversion, 28 goals in 15 matches.
PSG (Champions League): 18.9 shots, 7 on target per game; 30% shot conversion, 37 goals in 17 matches—superior dominance.
Defense:
Tottenham: 10 shots, 3.93 on target against per game; keeper Guglielmo Vicario with 81% save rate.
PSG: 9.83 shots, 3.23 on target against per game; Gianluigi Donnarumma (70% save rate, likely absent) or Lucas Chevalier (72.2% in Ligue 1) in goal.
