Tottenham lucky to escape Monaco with a point

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Monaco 0 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario delivered an outstanding display to help his side earn a crucial point against Monaco.

Author | Greg S

Stadium | Stade Louis-II

Champions League | Monaco v Tottenham | View from the away end
Spurs corner

The Italian, who has faced criticism this season, was pivotal as Spurs scraped a draw at Stade Louis II following a largely uninspiring performance. Vicario made four impressive first-half saves, three from former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, before producing another stop to deny Maghnes Akliouche.

Spurs were forced into a resilient defensive performance against a Monaco side that had previously drawn 2-2 with Manchester City. They came close themselves when Micky van de Ven headed just over before half-time. 

After the break, Vicario continued to shine, repelling further efforts from Akliouche and Balogun, and producing the standout moment of the match by brilliantly blocking a Jordan Teze header from point-blank range. Former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino also squandered three chances, leaving Thomas Frank relieved to secure a point thanks to Vicario’s heroics.

Champions League | Monaco v Tottenham | Monaco fans
Monaco fans would have been happy with their performance

Frustrating display but Spurs remain unbeaten

The frustration of Spurs’ travelling supporters, calling for more urgency as their side slowed the game in stoppage time, reflected the overall struggle. Monaco dominated for much of the match, and Spurs will need a stronger performance if they are to make meaningful progress in the Champions League.

Only Vicario’s brilliance and Monaco’s wastefulness, particularly from Minamino, allowed the English side to escape with a point. Apart from Van de Ven’s header and a half-chance for Richarlison, Spurs spent most of the match in survival mode, seemingly content with a draw as the clock ran down.

The team’s lack of attacking threat will have been a concern for Frank, with Richarlison replaced after failing to influence the game and substitute Randal Kolo Muani, who had only 24 minutes across two previous appearances this season, unable to alter the pattern.

This was Spurs’ second underwhelming away display in the competition, having salvaged a point after falling 2-0 behind against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt. Yet there is a silver lining: Frank’s side remain unbeaten after three matches, two of which were away, a feat only previously achieved in the 2017-18 Champions League campaign.

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