Spurs ride luck in Monaco but fans deliver verdict on dismal show

Tottenham Hotspur were appreciative of their hosts’ generosity, and the elaborate surroundings of Monaco’s Stade Louis II Stadium give off an almost welcoming atmosphere by Champions League standards.

Spurs relied on the skill of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and a lot of good luck to win a point in this millionaire’s playground, which is known for its casinos and the roll of the dice.

Thomas Frank’s side’s goalless draw was a disappointing display that will require significant improvement if they are to put a significant dent in the competition they won in the Europa League last year.

At least one impressive statistic was produced by the game. Spurs’ most recent goalless draw in 125 games was a Champions League stalemate with AC Milan in March 2023.

Spurs never looked like breaking the record books’ prohibition against a record-breaking performance, coming up with just two shots on target.

Spurs’ performance was undoubtedly insufficient to please the fans who traveled to Monaco, where one section of a stadium is more focused on architecture than atmosphere. When compared to other teams, even the home team’s self-described “Ultras” are civilized.

The visiting fans gathered under the Stade Louis II arches, and when Spurs slowed the game down as the clock ticked down, they yelled loud boos and groans.

They will feel as though they have not received the best value for their money, as do many gamblers in Monaco. After surviving so many scares, they were unhappy to see Spurs appear to have settled for a draw.

Spurs’ rearguard action prevented them from escaping, which at least allowed Frank to point to an unbeaten record after three games, this draw drawing away to Norwegian champions Bodo Glimt, who had come back from 2-0 down.

He was the hero of Spurs throughout, making four notable first half saves, three from former Arsenal player Folarin Balogun and one more when he scored a penalty save for Maghnes Akliouche.

After the break, Vicario again thwarted Balogun and Akliouche as well as substitute Aleksandr Golovin, but Jordan Teze’s point-blank block proved the difference-maker for Monaco, who appeared confident they would get the goal they merited.

Manager Frank remarked, “I believe he did a great job today. Some of the saves, in my opinion, were exceptional. He is a significant contributor to why we reached a contentious conclusion, but it can also prove pivotal in the end.

Spurs were appreciative of Monaco’s Japanese ex-Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino’s poor finishing, which wasted three respectable late chances much to the growing frustration of the home fans, who increasingly feared they would fall victim to a “scrap-and-grab” as opportunities arose.

Spurs are currently 15th in the Champions League, and they will face FC Copenhagen in their next two games before traveling to Paris St. Germain, who would not be as tolerant as Monaco if given the kind of license they gave them.

Spurs welcomed its first Champions League appearance as a sign of serious progress, but they are still adapting to the demands of Europe’s elite competition.

In a unique arena that is one of the least hostile places Spurs are likely to visit as the Champions League progresses, they made home fans feel uncomfortable right away.

When they enter the bearpit known as the Parc des Princes on November 26th, it will undoubtedly be different. If they repeat this pointless, pointless endeavor, they will not succeed.

In addition to Vicario, Micky van de Ven, the team’s captain in the absence of Cristian Romero, made an effort to keep Monaco at bay.

As Eric Dier, a former Spurs defender, walked around the pitch at half-time while Paul Pogba watched from the stands as he prepared to make his Monaco debut after signing in June, being denied the opportunity to face his old club due to injury.

Following a Court of Arbitration for Sport decision to reduce the doping ban’s four-year period to 18 months, he was given the opportunity to resume his career in March.