BBC

The ornate surroundings of Monaco's Stade Louis II Stadium provide an environment that is almost welcoming by Champions League standards and Tottenham Hotspur were grateful for a large helping of their hosts' generosity.

In this millionaires' playground famous for its casinos and the roll of the dice, Spurs were reliant on the brilliance of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as well as a liberal sprinkling of good luck to escape with a point.

This goalless draw was a dismal display by Thomas Frank's side, who will have to produce a marked improvement if they are to make a serious dent in the competition they reached by winning the Europa League last season.

The game did at least produce one remarkable statistic. This was Spurs' first goalless draw in 125 games, the last being a Champions League stalemate with AC Milan in March 2023.

Spurs never looked like breaking their half of the bargain that might have avoided that quirk of the record books, mustering a mere two shots on target.

Spurs certainly did not produce a performance to please their supporters who made the trip to Monaco, populating one corner of a stadium that is more about architecture than atmosphere. Even the home team's self-styled "Ultras" are civilised when measured by the standards of others.

Gathering under the arches that characterise one end of Stade Louis II, the visiting fans delivered loud groans when Spurs slowed the game down as the clock ran down in stoppage time, then delivered boos when the final whistle sounded.

Like many who visit the gambling haunts of Monaco, they will have left feeling they had not got value for their money. They were unhappy to see Spurs seemingly settle for a draw after surviving so many scares.

Spurs escaped via a rearguard action, which at least left Frank able to point at an unbeaten record after three games, this point following on from a scrambled draw away to Norwegian champions Bodo Glimt, where they recovered from 2-0 down.

And it was thanks to Italian keeper Vicario, whose performances have come under increasing scrutiny.

He was the Spurs hero, magnificent throughout, producing four first half saves of note, three from former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun then another when he clawed out an effort from Maghnes Akliouche.

Vicario thwarted both Balogun and Akliouche again after the interval, as well as substitute Aleksandr Golovin, but the best was a point-blank block from Jordan Teze when it seemed certain Monaco would get the goal they merited.

Manager Frank, said: "I think he was very good today. I think some of the saves were exceptional. He's a big part of why we got a hard-fought point, but at the end of the day, it can be a crucial point."

Even then, Spurs were grateful for the woeful finishing of Monaco's Japanese former Liverpool midfield Takumi Minamino, who wasted three presentable late chances, much to the growing frustration of the home fans, who increasingly feared they would be victims of a smash-and-grab as opportunities came and went.

Spurs currently lie 15th in the Champions League table and their next two games are at home to FC Copenhagen, then away to holders Paris St. Germain, who will not be as forgiving as Monaco if given the sort of licence they offered here.

Spurs celebrated entry into the Champions League as a signpost to serious progress but they are still acclimatising to the demands of Europe's elite tournament.

They were uncomfortable from the start, encouraging home fans to raise the noise levels inside a unique arena that is one of the least hostile places Spurs are likely to visit as the Champions League progresses.

It will certainly be different when they walk into the bearpit that will be the Parc des Princes on 26 November. They will not escape with a point if they repeat this unambitious, abject effort.

Vicario was not the only stand-out with Micky van de Ven, captain in the absence of injured Cristian Romero, doing his best to ensure Monaco were kept at bay.

Former Spurs defender Eric Dier, who was denied the opportunity to face his old club because of injury, received a warm welcome from their fans as he walked around the pitch at half-time while Paul Pogba watched on from the stands as he waits to make his Monaco debut after signing in June.

He was allowed to resume his career in March following a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling reducing a four-year doping ban to 18 months.

Spurs have not sparkled in the Champions League even though they have yet to lose - but this was not the sort of performance offering hope for the future in this tournament.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, speaking to TNT Sports: "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.

"I think Vicario was very good. But it was not the performance we wanted, especially the second half."

Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, also speaking to TNT Sports: "It was not the best performance from us. There is a lot to learn from this game because the level in the Champions League is very high. If you miss some basics it is tough to compete.

"Everyone who plays at the back is a Champions League player. It is not about changes tonight, it is about the effort, the mentality and the awareness of danger we need to have in some situations. I think tonight we lacked a little bit of that.

"It is a point we have to take. It is a tough point because we had to battle and suffer a lot so credit to Monaco. Today they were better than us."

The sound of Tottenham's travelling fans demanding more urgency from their side as they slowed the game down in stoppage time summed up the frustrating nature of this performance.

Spurs were strictly second best on a night when Monaco had the upper hand throughout in the staid surroundings of Stade Louis II, and they will have to produce better if they want to make serious progress in the Champions League.

It was only down to the brilliance of Guglielmo Vicario and Monaco's generosity in front of goal, especially the hapless Takumi Minamino, that allowed the English side to escape with a point.

Micky van de Ven's header and a half-chance for Richarlison apart, Spurs spent most of the game in survival mode, seemingly happy to settle for a draw as the clock wound down.

A lack of attacking threat will have troubled head coach Thomas Frank as they made little impression on Monaco's defence, with Richarlison's lack of impact seeing him replaced. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani, who had only played 24 minutes in two substitute appearances this season, was also unable to change the pattern of the game.

It was a second very average display from Spurs in the competition away from home in this campaign, having scrambled from 2-0 down to earn a point against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.

If Frank needed positives, though, he could point to the fact his side are unbeaten in their opening three games, with two played away, and managing that only once before in the 2017-18 Champions League campaign.

This, however, was grim fare.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Spurs head coach Thomas Frank has made three changes from the side that started the home defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday

Richarlison returns up front for Mathys Tel, while Archie Gray returns at left-back with Djed Spence dropping to the bench. Lucas Bergvall starts, with Xavi Simons one of the substitutes.

Monaco XI: Kohn, Henrique, Salisu, Kehrer, Outtara, Coulibaly, Teze, Diatta, Fati, Akliouche, Balogun.

Subs: Bamba, Biereth, Cabral, Golovin, Idumbo, Ilenikhena, Lienard, Mawissa, Michal, Minamino, Stawiecki.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Gray, Bentancur, Palhinha, Bergvall, Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert.

Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Spence, Byfield, Sarr, Olusesi, Xavi, Williams-Barnett, Johnson, Kolo Muani, Scarlett.

'Ekitike and Isak can play together'

Eintracht Frankfurt v Liverpool (20:00 BST)

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to TNT Sports on starting Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak: "What we need to try again today is create as much chances as we did the last few weeks. Then it is very helpful that we have two players in the team who can score a goal.

"We are hoping and expecting Frimpong to create something for these two from the right and Gakpo trying to do the same from the left, with Wirtz's creativity in and around our two number nines.

"They can play together, they showed it against Manchester United - although that was in the second half. It just means our midfield will be structured a little differently."

Dier misses Spurs game

Monaco v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Unfortunately Monaco defender Eric Dier will miss a reunion today because he's out injured.

The 31-year-old former England international played 365 games for Spurs between 2014 and 2023.

He has scored in two of his last three Champions League appearances, one for Bayern Munich and one in Monaco’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

That makes him one of only two Englishmen to score for two different non-English clubs in the European Cup, along with Jude Bellingham.

Unusual setting in Monaco

Monaco v Spurs (20:00 BST)

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer in Monaco

There is almost a politeness about Stade Louis II here in Monaco. One end is a collection of arches while the rest is an ornate construction with a running track around the pitch.

Having experienced a night of noise and fury in Istanbul when Galatasary beat Liverpool recently, this seems a world away.

The Spurs fans are in and making their presence felt already.

How will Liverpool line up tonight?

Eintracht Frankfurt v Liverpool (20:00 BST)

Stephen Warnock

Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Frimpong will go in at right back and Robertson at left back.

Jones will hold, probably with Szoboszlai. I think Wirtz will play in the forward position as the number 10.

In attack, I think Ekitike on the right, Isak in the middle and Gakpo on the left.

'Caicedo is not very good at right back'

Chelsea v Ajax (20:00 BST)

Pat Nevin

Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

There are Chelsea fans out there who don't have a clue what is going on [with their team selections].

Tonight we expect [Moises] Caicedo - who many people have suggested is the best midfielder in the league - to play at right full back. I have watched him play there a number of times and he is not very good at it. They are sticking payers in strange places.

I still wouldn't be surprised if they won tonight, but it is hard to follow sometimes.

'They always try to play in the DNA of the club'

Chelsea v Ajax (20:00 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said he is looking forward to facing a historic team.

"Ajax are a team that always tries to play in the DNA of the club so for sure it will be a tough game," he said.

"In the past and in the present, they try to play their kind of football.

"Also, they are a club that has won this competition in the past, so they want to prove to everyone they are coming here to do their best to beat us – and we are going to try and do exactly the same.

"It’s a nice competition because you play against fantastic clubs.

“In the first game, Bayern Munich away, we were not happy with the result, but we tried to play face to face for 90 minutes against a club that in the last six or seven years always reached the quarter-finals, semi-finals, final.

"Benfica we tried to prepare in the best way to win, which we did. When you play these kinds of clubs – Bayern, Benfica, Ajax – there are always things you can learn after the game. It’s going to be exactly the same after the final whistle against Ajax."

Chelsea say no discipline concerns

Chelsea v Ajax (20:00 BST)

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport Chelsea reporter at Stamford Bridge

There is no doubt the underlying interest was around indiscipline and the response at Chelsea's news conference against Ajax was clear.

Both Enzo Maresca and Chelsea's oldest player, Tosin Adarabiayo, batted away concerns about the accumulation of four red cards in four consecutive matches.

The Blues already had a poor record of red and yellow cards but it has got worse lately.

Yet the two figures talking before the Champions League league phase match denied any concerns.

Maresca says he prefers not to discipline players for being sent off, but Tosin acknowledged there is a player-led fine system in place.

With a smile, the defender also declined to comment on how much fine money is in the kitty for the upcoming Christmas party after the recent spate of red cards.

Defender Ben Davies is an injury doubt for Wales' World Cup qualifying games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia next month.

The 32-year-old captained Wales as he won his 100th international cap in their 4-2 World Cup qualifying loss to Belgium on 13 October, but was forced off in the second half with a hamstring problem.

Davies' Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has now confirmed that he could be out of action for some time with the injury.

"Ben Davies is out with a hamstring injury, it could be weeks," Frank told club media before Spurs' Champions League fixture in Monaco.

Wales travel to Liechtenstein on Saturday, 15 November, then host North Macedonia in Cardiff the following Tuesday.

Craig Bellamy's side know they are now realistically playing for second place in Group J and must win both games if they are to snatch the runner-up spot from North Macedonia, which would guarantee their place in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Wales will be expected to beat a Liechtenstein side that sits bottom of the group without a point and having not scored a goal so far in qualification.

But the absence of Davies in defence against second-placed North Macedonia would lessen Wales' chances of overhauling them, and Bellamy will be hoping he is able to return to fitness in time for that crunch game on 18 November at Cardiff City Stadium.

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Cristian Romero has an abductor strain and will miss the match, alongside fellow defender Destiny Udogie, who didn't travel because of a "knee irritation".

However, Frank said the club are "assessing" the pair day by day and fans should not be concerned about the injury to their captain.

On how Xavi Simons is settling after his summer move: "He's a very good player coming into a new country, new club, new city. We're all getting judged every game but we need to see the bigger perspective. There were some good bits - asking him to arrive in the box, and he did. It's constantly going in the right direction."

Brennan Johnson is yet to score this Champions League campaign and Frank believes getting the best out of the forward is about "making it fit".

The boss said: "He's a very important player. Such important goals last season and top scorer. Started the season well here so it's down to making it fit. Brennan can play both left and right - Mo [Kudus] has done good on the right and, on the left, Wilson [Odobert] has done well."

Spurs drew 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt in their last European away game but Frank is confident in his travelling team: "Away form has been very good. We've been good in the football foundation. We have a good base and middle and low block. We're one of the most progressive teams in the final third. We need to do the same tomorrow against a very good team."

A Europa League trophy after a long silverware drought. Numerous internationals in the squad, including a World Cup winner as our captain. Young players with a point to prove and older players who know the drill.

So where is the confidence, composure and courage - especially in front of goal?

Defeat by Aston Villa was only our second loss in the league so far this season, but both of those have come at home.

If Thomas Frank wants to make the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a fortress, he and his players have work to do.

A fortress is synonymous with being impenetrable and, in fairness, our defensive play is much more organised and robust under Frank - as evidenced by the two shots Villa were restricted to, both from outside the box.

Despite those shots resulting in goals, in their separate post-match interviews, Frank and Micky van de Ven insisted that the defence is doing its job. Instead, questions are being asked of the players in front of them.

The lack of a competent and clinical striker was painfully clear against Villa. What could previously be dismissed - if you covered your ears - as a faint alarm bell in the distance, muffled somewhat by the signing of Randal Kolo Muani, has now become a deafening klaxon.

However, we still have an abundance of attacking players in our squad who are capable of scoring goals - and we need them to feel confident in their ability to do so.

In particular, Xavi Simons has the look of a player who is desperate to score the perfect goal and is hesitating when the opportunity to do anything less than ideal presents itself.

Chances are being created but, as the Spurs fans trudged home in the rain, we were left wondering who is going to take them.