It took a stunning, defiant display by Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks to single-handedly rescue a vital Champions League point for Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur side against Monaco at Stade Louis II.
The Italian goalkeeper, who has faced some critics this season, was arguably the only reason Spurs escaped the French principality with a draw after they failed to turn on the style.
Vicario was sensational from the first whistle, denying a persistent Monaco attack. His first-half heroics included four fine saves, three of which thwarted former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun. He then clawed away a dangerous effort from Maghnes Akliouche just before the break.
While Spurs were forced into a battling defensive effort against a side that had recently held Manchester City, their own attack was mostly muted, with Micky van de Ven heading their best chance just over the bar.
The second half became the Vicario Show. He again denied Akliouche and Balogun, but his moment of the night came with a breathtaking point-blank block to somehow keep out Jordan Teze’s powerful header.
Monaco’s own profligacy, notably from former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino who squandered three opportunities, coupled with Vicario’s brilliance, allowed the English side to hold on. The point leaves Frank grateful, acknowledging his team’s performance was a “Vicario-inspired rearguard action.”
Tottenham’s travelling fans were left frustrated, demanding more urgency as the team ran down the clock in stoppage time. Spurs were strictly second best for most of the night. Bar a Van de Ven header and a half-chance for Richarlison, the team spent the game in pure survival mode.
The lack of attacking threat will be a worry for Frank. They made little impact on the Monaco defence, with Richarlison’s struggles leading to his substitution.
This was a second very average away display in the competition, following a scramble back from 2-0 down to draw with Bodo/Glimt. However, the positives are that Spurs remain unbeaten in their opening three games, with two of those away—a feat they’ve managed only once before in the 2017-18 campaign.
