Thomas Frank and Archie Gray thank Guglielmo Vicario for helping Tottenham clinch a point in the 0-0 draw with AS Monaco in the Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur secured a hard-fought point in the Champions League thanks to a 0-0 draw with AS Monaco on Wednesday night.
The north Londoners were second best for large parts of the game as AS Monaco sliced them open on several occasions but lacked the ruthlessness in front of goal. The home side dominated for the first 45 minutes without giving Thomas Frank’s side a sniff, creating some brilliant opportunities. The French outfit were unable to take advantage of the visitors’ sloppy play, with Spurs target Maghnes Akliouche the standout performer on the night.
While most players didn’t live up to expectations for the Lilywhites, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario produced arguably his best performance in a Spurs shirt.
Guglielmo Vicario had a blinder at the Principality
It took a standout display from Tottenham No.1 Guglielmo Vicario, who was forced into making eight saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0. The Italian was in inspired form, making saves after saves to keep his team alive in the game.
He was a man on a mission, keeping Tottenham truly away from enduring an embarrassing night against AS Monaco. It was perhaps Vicario’s most complete game in a Tottenham shirt, one that would give him so much confidence heading into the upcoming fixtures after a mixed start to the season.
Thomas Frank, Archie Gray heap praise on “unbelievable” Vicario
Speaking after the game, Thomas Frank was quick to acknowledge his shot-stopper’s contribution for Spurs pinching a point away from the Principality. He rightly gave Monaco the credit, admitting the hosts were the better team overall and his side were not good enough, especially in the second half.
“I think there is big credit to Monaco today. It was a hard point won. It was a relatively even first half. Second half our performance was not good and Monaco were better than us. It demanded a lot to keep the clean sheet,” Thomas Frank told TNT Sports (h/t BBC Sport).
“I think Vicario was very good. But it was not the performance we wanted, especially the second half.”
Archie Gray, who started in defence and was one of Tottenham’s better players on the night, also praised Vicario. The teenager said the Italy glovesman was “unbelievable” in helping the team earn a point in France.
“It was a difficult game. We weren’t at our best. They were on top for most of the game and Guglielmo Vicario kept us in it,” Archie Gray told TNT Sports (h/t BBC Sport).
“We always stick together but Vic was unbelievable keeping us in the game. We will learn from these tough moments. I believe this team can do anything. We all believe in each other.”
Truth be told, Tottenham did not deserve even a point. While Frank’s boys earned a valuable point in Monte Carlo, the performance on display left much to be desired. We were completely outplayed, outworked and outsmarted by Sebastien Pocognoli’s side, who managed 23 shots with eight on target. On the balance of play, they should have walked away with the points.
It was a lucky escape but there were some harsh lessons learnt by Frank and his coaching staff. Not only will the Dane be worried about his defence, but the attackers struggling to create chances at the other end and testing the Monaco goalkeeper would be concerning too.
