Tottenham are set to turn their attentions to the Champions League, and Thomas Frank & Co. will be hungry to get back on the pitch and get a result. This comes after that shock defeat to Aston Villa at N17, where two stunners from Unai Emery’s side were enough to call the game.
And while the Lilywhites’ Premiership form has taken a dent after what was an exciting start to the season, they will now have the Champions League record to protect as they take a trip to France to face AS Monaco.
And there are some duels which can decide the tie, as we take a look at a few of the key duels going into the game.
3 key battles for Monaco vs Tottenham
Rodrigo Bentancur vs Coulibaly
Rodrigo Bentancur’s role has been central to how the visitors build from deep. And his position (or rather movements) of either bisecting the centre-backs or rotating into a double pivot with Palhinha can decide the tempo and way of how sequences are going to flow for Thomas Frank & Co.
While Monaco will likely press high with Youssouf Fofana or Mohamed Coulibaly stepping up. This means that if he can beat the first line and connect cleanly into Simons or Bergvall between the lines, then Tottenham can dictate attacking options. But if Coulibaly manages to force turnovers in that midfield pocket, then Monaco can flip the game vertically in seconds.
Micky Van de Ven vs Folarin Balogun
Given that Romero will likely miss the game, his partner in crime, Micky van de Ven, will be tasked with dealing with Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. The Arsenal academy star thrives on runs into space and early service between defenders.
So ideally you’d expect Van de Ven’s recovery pace and aerial ability to be tested.
Balogun also has this ability to pin or peel off the back line, which could drag the Lilywhites into awkward defensive shapes, especially if Van de Ven steps into midfield in the press and space is left behind (much like what he did against Aston Villa to rotate possession).
So for the Dutchman, it is going to be important to keep tracking Balogun’s off-ball runs and anticipating through balls. There is a possibility that Frank does keep his side in a deeper line to nullify this exact threat (especially given that it is an away game).
Xavi Simons vs Krepin Diatta
Xavi Simons has become the North Londoners’ most consistent progressive threat on the left flank (and on the inside left) by often getting touches when he has his marker isolated. He then often cuts inside or threads runners (depending on sequences).
So when Tottenham play against Monaco, if Simons plays in that left wing role, he will likely be rubbing shoulders against Krepin Diatta. He operates as a wide wing-back and can be exposed defensively when caught high. If Simons can exploit that space early, especially with Spence offering underlaps rather than overlaps, then Frank can use it to tilt momentum. But Diatta has that pace going the other way as well. He could punish Simons if the North Londoners lose balance while in attacking transition.