UEFA Champions League, Matchday 3, 22/10/25
AS Monaco remain winless in the UEFA Champions League after being held by Tottenham Hotspur (0-0). The Premier League side were reliant on an inspired performance from goalkeeper Vicario.
The Match
Tottenham came to the Stade Louis II with the air of a team that would be happy to leave with one point. That is what they did, but they were reliant on brilliance from Vicario to get it. He made nine saves on the night, at least three of which fall into the exceptional category.
The first two came from Folarin Balogun. The USMNT forward was first played in by Maghnes Akliouche, a player Tottenham tracked over the summer, but could not pull the ball around the onrushing Vicario. Balogun drew an even better save later in the half with the Italian equal to an effort that was bound for the bottom left corner.
Spurs created little. Passive, they looked like a team that were looking to pounce on a Monaco mistake that never campaign. Despite an uptick at the start of the second-half, Tottenham were soon reliant once again on Vicario.
The goalkeeper saved from Aleksandr Golovin and then excellently just moments later from Jordan Teze. The Dutchman, who netted spectacularly against Manchester City earlier in the month had the goal at his mercy but could not provide the goal that Monaco’s performance deserved.
Takumi Minamino missed thrice within the space of as many minutes as the Principality club rallied late-on.
However, both sides were forced to settle for a point, one that much better suits Tottenham, who by Thomas Frank’s own admission, were below parr. Monaco remain winless but take great confidence.
Monaco player ratings
Philipp Kohn – 4
Caio Henrique – 6
Mohammed Salisu – 7
Thilo Kehrer – 6
Kassoum Ouattara – 5
Jordan Teze – 7
Building on his performance against Manchester City, the Dutchman continues to aptly fill in in midfield and has a good spacial awareness to allow him to thrive in the role. Reverting to his more familiar right-wing-back role later in the game, he was dangerous there, too, and perfectly timed his run into the box, only to head straight at Vicario.
Mamadou Coulibaly – 6
Krépin Diatta – 5
Maghnes Akliouche – 7
The Frenchman looks something close to his best. The period between the September international break and the October international break was middling at best for Akliouche, who has rediscovered his creative touch and was at the heart of Monaco’s most dangerous moves. On another day, he would have had at least an assist to his name.
Ansu Fati – 5
Folarin Balogun – 6
The former Arsenal forward missed three chances. However, they were three great saves from Vicario. His lack of a goal does somewhat blot his copybook but it shouldn’t detract from what was an overall strong display, punctuated by several good runs in behind, some of which were found by teammates, others that weren’t.
Tottenham player ratings
Vicario – 8
The man-of-the-match, it could have been a torrid night without Vicario. His shot-stopping was formidable throughout. Three world-class saves and six more from the top draw ensure that Tottenham remain unbeaten in this season’s Champions League.
Archie Gray – 4
Micky Van de Ven – 6
Kevin Danso – 5
Pedro Perro – 4
Lucas Bergvall – 4
Joao Palhinha – 6
Rodrigo Bentancur – 5
Wilson Odobert – 6
The only Tottenham player who looked capable of providing the spark. He was busy, particularly in the first-half and when serviced had the measure of Krépin Diatta, but his opportunities to shine were highly limited by a sub-par collective showing.
Richarlison – 4
Mohammed Kudus – 6
