Tottenham Hotspur face their toughest challenge yet under Ange Postecoglou as they prepare to take on a red-hot Paris Saint-Germain side in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup. The clash, set to take place in Udine on August 13, pits Europa League champions Spurs against a PSG team that thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final.
While most neutrals and even Spurs fans expect a PSG win, a lesser-known FIFA regulation might offer a glimmer of hope for the North London club.
Historic Moment for Spurs
Tottenham’s dramatic Europa League triumph in Bilbao ended a 41 -year wait for European silverware. Postecoglou’s high-energy, attacking style has revitalized the team and injected belief into the fanbase. But against PSG’s star-studded squad—featuring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vitinha, and Manuel Ugarte—Spurs will need more than just spirit.
The FIFA Rule That Could Shift the Balance
According to FIFA’s mandatory rest period guidelines, players involved in international tournaments like the Copa América and UEFA Euro 2024 must be given a minimum of three weeks’ vacation before resuming club duties.
With PSG heavily stacked with international stars—many of whom are expected to feature deep into their national teams’ summer campaigns—they could be forced to field a rotated or underprepared squad in the Super Cup. In contrast, Spurs, who have fewer internationals playing deep into the summer, might have a more settled and better-rested squad available.
This rule has often disrupted preseason plans for top European clubs, and it could hand Tottenham an unexpected edge against a less cohesive PSG side on the day.
Will PSG risk fielding returning stars at the cost of fitness and form?
Can Tottenham capitalize on better team rhythm and preparation?
Will Postecoglou stick with his expansive tactics or go pragmatic?
While the odds still favour PSG on paper, the FIFA rest period rule adds a layer of unpredictability that could make the 2025 UEFA Super Cup more competitive than expected.
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