Matchday Live: Monaco vs Tottenham

Another match against Monaco, another 2-1 loss.

Tottenham’s problems in the first half only continued in the second. There was virtually no connection between midfield and attack — a problem that might not have mattered as much if the defense could keep Monaco from taking shots.

Such shots suddenly meant a lot more in the second half. Monaco opened the scoring with both of their full-backs combining to see the ball past Lloris. It was a goal that felt like the culmination of the previous 58 minutes.

There was a glimmer of hope minutes latter. Alli flopped in Monaco’s penalty area thus manufacturing Tottenham’s first chance on goal. Kane took the resulting penalty, leveling the score.

Whatever optimism resulted in Kane’s goal evaporated within moments. Thomas Lemar received the ball in arces of space on Trippier’s side of defense and calmly shot the ball at the far post. 2-1 Monaco.

Tottenham’s efforts thereafter were chaotic, less about structure and more about simply clawing a way back into the game. They came to naught.

Next: Harry Winks Cried Following Tottenham Win Over West Ham

With Leverkusen’s draw with CSKA earlier in the day, Tottenham still have a chance to make it through to the Champions League knockout rounds. They’ll need a win over CSKA at home by enough goals to beat Leverkusen’s goal difference advantage. It’ll be tough, but not impossible.

For now, though, Pochettino needs to figure out why Tottenham can’t win crucial games like this.