Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League draw away to Monaco was a tense and disciplined performance centred on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The Italian’s outstanding display helped Thomas Frank’s side secure a 0-0 result at the Stade Louis, keeping them unbeaten in Europe. Yet, as the manager admitted afterwards, the match revealed deeper questions about focus and energy.

Monaco’s attacking trio, led by Folarin Balogun and Maghnes Akliouche, unsettled Tottenham’s attempts to build from the back. Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha struggled for space and were often forced into quick sideways passes. Young Archie Gray, starting at left back, endured a difficult opening spell but responded with calmness and awareness way beyond his age.

Tottenham’s first meaningful chance came after twenty minutes when Wilson Odobert’s cross found Micky van de Ven, whose header drifted just over the bar. That moment aside, Monaco grew stronger, and Vicario became the key figure. He denied Balogun three times before halftime, blocking low drives and reacting quickly to close-range efforts as the home side pressed forward. Second half was mostly the same, with Spurs getting the rare chance to counter, but without avail. Pressing visibly went down, as the Lilywhites could not make enough of their opposition and...