Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Tottenham Hotspur will kick off the 2025/26 European season on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup — the annual contest between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League.
Traditionally seen as the match to determine Europe’s top club, this year’s fixture has lost a bit of its sparkle, with Conference League champions Chelsea now holding the FIFA Club World Cup crown after defeating PSG in the final.
Luis Enrique’s treble-winning PSG are eager to move past that setback and secure another accolade for a trophy collection that has already amassed seven titles since the Spaniard’s arrival in 2023. They are overwhelming favourites having claimed victory in 10 of their last 12 competitive encounters, scoring four or more goals against elite sides like Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid. PSG have also emerged victorious in five of their last eight encounters with English teams. A win would mark their first UEFA Super Cup, having previously finished runners-up to Juventus in 1996.
Tottenham, meanwhile, come in with confidence after ending a 17-year silverware drought by defeating Manchester United in last season’s Europa League final. However, their preparations have faced challenges, including a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in their latest pre-season friendly. Manager Thomas Frank admitted his team was “well off the pace” after a strenuous summer tour in Hong Kong and Seoul.
Spurs will be without influential playmaker James Maddison, who will miss most of the season due to an ACL injury, but Joao Palhinha could make his debut following a season-long loan from Bayern Munich. Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie are also part of the traveling squad.
PSG only returned to pre-season training on 6 August after a record 65 matches last season, and recent defeats to Botafogo and Chelsea show even the best teams can have off days.
Nonetheless, their Champions League campaign last season saw them eliminate English opposition in every stage — from the league phase to the semifinals — and they will look to continue that dominance in Udine, Italy.
“[The Super Cup] is a very special match that brings together the Champions League and Europa League winners. Of course, our aim is to try to win it and give it our all,” stated PSG manager Luis Enrique.
Thomas Frank acknowledged the challenge ahead: “[PSG] are the best team in Europe. They won the treble and it looks like they are extremely strong in all 11 starting positions. It’s a fantastic challenge to have in the first game but, of course, we believe in ourselves.”
LND/NE
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