With midweek fixtures now a regular occurrence, Tottenham Hotspur had limited time to prepare for a match which Thomas Frank would have hoped would be a bounce back from the disappointing defeat against
Aston Villa. Unfortunately, disappointment was a continuing theme, as Thomas Frank’s side was extremely lucky to escape with a point in what was a poor performance.
The starting XI caused a few headscratches. With Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie unavailable due to injury, and Spurs’ fullbacks already overloaded in terms of minutes, Thomas Frank’s options at the back were limited. Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, and Pedro Porro were the only clear backline options, with Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray able to potentially slot in. This led to some predicting weird and wonderful starting formations, with Spurs instead lining up in their typical back four with Gray taking up a left back role. Richarlison and Lucas Bergvall came in for Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons further up the pitch.
Spurs struggled in the first half, and were perhaps fortunate to go into the break with scores still level. Folarin Balogun had a couple of significant chances to put Monaco ahead, getting in behind the Spurs defense, but Guglielmo Vicario came and made himself large to save Spurs’ blushes on both occasions. The Lilywhites, on the other hand, were mostly limited to half-chances, with nothing much resembling a clear scoring opportunity from open play. The closest such opportunity was when Richarlison was fed by Wilson Odobert on a sparkling counter, with the Brazilian unable to get away a shot before the Monaco defense recovered; but outside of that, two Kevin Danso headers from set pieces were the closest Spurs looked to securing a vital goal.
The second half continued in a similar manner. Spurs toiled but were unable to create much in the way of opportunites, while Monaco cut through time and time again. Aleksandr Golovin had a shot tipped round the post by Vicario; a header from Thilo Kehrer was glanced narrowly past the post when it should have ended up in the back of the net; and Vicario pulled off yet another stunning save as Jordan Teze’s close-range header seemed destined to open the scoring.
Substitutions did little to stem the bleeding as the chances continued for Monaco. Takumi Minamino had three chances to score, the best of which was yet another shot from the penalty spot that was skied over the crossbar. Spurs did manage to create a late chance: Pape Matar Sarr broke down the left before feeding Brennan Johnson with a low cross, but the Welsh attacker could only scuff his shot at a defender. That was the last action of note as both sides undeservedly shared the points, with Spurs fortunate to not concede.
Reactions
- A point is nice, but I’ll say it: that was an awful performance.
- The fact that Guglielmo Vicario was probably player of the match tells you all you need to know. Rumors of the Italian’s demise were greatly exaggerated.
- Thomas Frank needs to sort the midfield, and sort it yesterday. Lucas Bergvall was poor in the #10 role (which I’d argue does not suit him, but Spurs’ options are limited), and the Palhinha-Bentancur double pivot was (as usual) shocking: creating zero impetus going forward, but also a total lack of defensive solidity.
- Bentancur especially was terrible, not tracking runs in defense and hiding from the ball in possession. Palhinha often found himself on an island in possession with Bentancur standing behind opposition players, not making runs.
- Speaking of not making runs, is Richarlison carrying a niggle? The guy basically just walked around all match. Once Kolo Muani gets back to full fitness, Richy needs a rest.
- On the positives, Wilson Odobert continued to show positive signs and was probably Spurs’ best attacker. Archie Gray, though he looked a little out of place at fullback, looked sharp when he came into midfield and looks more and more like a legitimate option in the middle of the park. Surely he has to be close to a start there?
- Frank’s substitutions were too late, and too defensive, but Spurs were under the pump from Monaco, so in some ways I can understand taking a cautious approach. Monaco though tripled Spurs xG, doubled their shots, quadrupled their shots on target, and had 56%-44% possession. That’s just not good enough, and Frank has to do more.
- Next up: Everton on Sunday. COYS.
