Champions League Live Reaction: Tottenham v AS Monaco
By Ryan Wrenn
Final Thoughts
Monaco’s second half performance wasn’t incisive, but it didn’t have to be. Their defense proved themselves competent enough to hold back one of the best offenses in the Premier League last season through the first half, and they had little reason to think anything would be different in the second.
In Tottenham’s defense, they did manage to improve their chances after the interval. Dembélé came on in central midfield, forcing Alli up the pitch through the center and pushing Eriksen wide left. That freed some space up for the playmaker, who almost immediately sent a fine cross through the center of Monaco’s defense. The Ligue 1 side’s aerial prowess was stunning throughout the match, and here proved equal to the task of sending Eriksen’s ball out of harm’s way.
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Wave after wave of Tottenham attack broke against Monaco’s wall, and there seemed little chance of it springing a leak. This is a well drilled team full of players who know their roles and know them well. No team in Europe on the day would have eased their way through to Monaco’s goal.
What’s more, they were perfectly content putting ten men behind the ball whenever possible. The top three of Radamel Falcao, Silva and Lemar occasionally broke forward, but never strayed far from the defense-first positions.
A curious incident did seem about to earn Tottenham a draw. During one of Tottenham’s many corner kicks, Monaco midfielder Fabinho pulled down Alli right in front of the Danijel Subasic’s goal. The ref stopped play, produced a yellow for Fabinho but did not award a penalty.
Seeing as how the ball wasn’t in play at the time of the foul, it’s easy to see what the official was thinking. Fabinho did commit a foul, but not one that directly influenced open play.
Monaco should be proud of this truly unexpected result. They showed up in what were no doubt intimidating environs and played Tottenham into a corner. Their spot atop Group E feels well deserved.
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For Pochettino and Tottenham, though, there are many questions to be asked. How exactly does an offense so potent over the weekend not manage to get one goal past Monaco in open play? What could have been done differently to nullify Jardim’s team and take the advantage?
We’ll cover these questions and more in the days to come. Suffice it to say now that this isn’t how Tottenham envisioned returning to the Champions League.