Guglielmo Vicario was the Tottenham hero as the Italian goalkeeper produced a heroic individual display to earn his side a 0-0 draw in Monaco on Wednesday. Spurs remain unbeaten in the Champions League and that is largely down to Vicario, who saved four times from Folarin Balogun and produced his best stop of the night to keep out a close-range Jordan Teze header.
Spurs saw the home side take the ascendency from the early stages, as Maghnes Akliouche and Ansu Fati threatened to cause havoc in a couple of early openings. Akliouche was the home side's outstanding player throughout and created countless opportunities.
Vicario would show his worth as the first half progressed, saving from Balogun three times as the goalkeeper came out on top in a tense battle with the former Arsenal striker. Coming out to thwart the United States international in a one-on-one, he then got down sharply to keep out Balogun once again just before half-time.
Other than the occasional spark from Wilson Odobert, Spurs rarely threatened – a theme which only heightened in the second period as Monaco turned the needle with a series of attacking substitutions and Thomas Frank's side struggled to react.
Takumi Minamino was off target three times when he should have scored, while Vicario was at his very best to keep out Teze. There was still time for Tottenham to create one decisive opportunity at the other end, as Pape Matar Sarr squared for fellow substitute Brennan Johnson, but the Welshman did not catch it cleanly, and his shot was blocked.
GOAL rates Tottenham's players from Stade Louis-II…
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Guglielmo Vicario (9/10):
A top performance by the goalkeeper. His three saves from Balogun in the first half prevented the home side being out of sight, while his point-blank reaction stop from Teze preserved a point.
Pedro Porro (6/10):
Played his part to ensure a point was earned, but had a tough evening as Monaco created chances from all angles.
Micky van de Ven (7/10):
Captain for the night, Van de Ven made a few crucial interventions to ensure his side left with a point. Came close with a header which flashed over at the other end.
Kevin Danso (7/10):
Put in a solid display at the back and has proven a worthy understudy for Romero. Vicario will get the headlines, but Spurs' entire defensive unit had a role to play in the shutout.
Archie Gray (8/10):
Making his first ever Champions League start, but you would never have been able to tell. Incredibly comfortable playing in several different positions, the teenager made several key interceptions and tackles, barely putting a foot wrong for his side.
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Joao Palhinha (7/10):
Did his job effectively and made some great tackles, though it was a tough assignment against the likes of Akliouche, who drifted across the attacking positions for Monaco.
Rodrigo Bentancur (5/10):
Struggled to exert any control in the middle of the park as Spurs were second-best for long periods. Taken off after an hour to be replaced by Sarr.
Lucas Bergvall (4/10):
Wasn't his finest showing. The Swede was dispossessed in his own half on a couple of occasions and twice bailed out by his goalkeeper with Balogun looking a certainty to score. Playing in a more attacking midfield area, he contributed little to chance creation at the other end and was withdrawn alongside Bentancur on the hour mark.
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Mohammed Kudus (6/10):
The Ghanaian's delivery continues to be impressive from the right, though he made less of a game-changing difference than in other recent fixtures and struggled to get into the match in the second half.
Richarlison (5/10):
Did not have as much service as he would have liked on his return to the side. One first-half opportunity was comfortably saved.
Wilson Odobert (7/10):
Showed a sign of things to come as he got in behind and flashed a ball across goal after just 15 seconds. The 20-year-old Frenchman justified his selection and was one of Spurs' biggest outlets, setting up chances for Richarlison and Van de Ven with great pieces of footwork. Faded slightly in the second half and was substituted after picking up a knock.
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Pape Matar Sarr (6/10):
Was not able to turn the tide in midfield but did his share defensively to keep out the home side, while his ball across led to arguably Spurs' best chance of the game for Johnson.
Xavi Simons (4/10):
Brought on to make something happen but appeared short on ideas. Content to slow down rare attacks rather than play a killer final ball, while a shooting chance from range flew well over the crossbar.
Randal Kolo Muani (5/10):
Struggled to get into the game following his introduction, but showed a willingness to run for his side as they held out for a point.
Brennan Johnson (5/10):
Could have been the hero late on, but it was not to be. Continues to suffer from a lack of minutes in recent weeks.
Djed Spence (6/10):
Replaced Kudus late on as Spurs looked to shore things up at the back.
Thomas Frank (6/10):
It was far from a vintage performance by his side, but they came away with a valuable point. Had it not been for Vicario's heroics and some wayward finishing by the hosts, though, Spurs would have had no complaints at returning to London with nothing.