Thomas Frank Lauds Guglielmo Vicario After Tottenham’s Draw in Monaco

Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach, Thomas Frank, praised goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario following a goalless draw against AS Monaco at Stade Louis II. The match highlighted Tottenham’s ongoing struggles in the UEFA Champions League, with Frank acknowledging that his team is still adapting to the rigors of top-flight European football.

Tottenham faced a challenging match against a resilient Monaco side. Vicario’s performance was critical, as he denied attempts from Folarin Balogun on three occasions and made a standout save against Thilo Kehrer’s close-range header in the second half. Frank’s team, dealing with injury setbacks, required Vicario to be at his best.

Despite questions surrounding Vicario’s positioning in the previous match against Aston Villa, where he conceded two goals, Frank defended his goalkeeper’s abilities. “I don’t think there were mistakes. It was two great finishes,” Frank stated. He went on to emphasize, “I think he was very good today. Some of the saves were exceptional. He’s a big part of why we got a hard-fought point.”

The match ended with a mix of frustration and uncertainty for the away fans, who greeted the final whistle with a chorus of boos. Tottenham’s attack lacked cohesion, with late efforts from Brennan Johnson and headers from Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso failing to find the back of the net. Frank’s decision to bench £52 million playmaker Xavi Simons raised eyebrows as Tottenham looked for spark in their offensive play.

This draw marked Tottenham’s first stalemate in 125 matches, dating back to their last Champions League campaign when they exited the tournament after a draw with AC Milan on March 8, 2023. Reflecting on the match, Frank noted, “It was a relatively even first half, but Monaco was better in the second half. We didn’t meet the performance levels we expect.”

He acknowledged the team’s need for improvement, particularly in terms of intensity and individual player performances. “We are learning Champions League football. Every game is a challenge, especially away against a strong side like Monaco,” he added.

Frank’s focus remains on gradual improvement following last season’s struggles, where Tottenham finished 17th and competed in the Europa League. “It’s not the worst thing on a bad day to get a point and a clean sheet,” he concluded.

Monaco’s new head coach, Sebastian Pocognoli, expressed frustration over Vicario’s performance, highlighting both his exceptional saves and time-wasting tactics. “Vicario was outstanding. He made great saves but also wasted time with each free kick,” Pocognoli remarked. He acknowledged Vicario’s pivotal role in the match, calling him “Man of the Match.”

As Tottenham navigates their European campaign, the challenges ahead will test the resilience and adaptability of the squad, with a crucial need to translate defensive solidity into offensive prowess in future matches.