Tottenham Hotspur earned a fortunate 0-0 draw against Monaco in the Champions League, extending their unbeaten run in the competition.
However, it was a match to forget for many of the players, with the team failing to take advantage of the few opportunities they had in the final third.
Tottenham registered just two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes, while Monaco managed 23 attempts, with eight of those testing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Despite his stellar performance between the posts, it was clear that Spurs struggled to impose themselves on the match, a continuation of their underwhelming form following their recent defeat to Aston Villa.
The lack of intensity and creativity left manager Thomas Frank with plenty to ponder as he prepares for the upcoming clash against Everton.
It’s evident that several players need to be dropped from the starting lineup if Spurs are to turn their fortunes around. Among the most disappointing performances was from Rodrigo Bentancur, who seemed completely ineffective in midfield.
The Uruguayan failed to register a single tackle during the match and lost all of his ground duels. Additionally, he committed a foul and gave away possession seven times.
His inability to provide any meaningful contribution reflected poorly on Spurs’ midfield, which was often overrun by the opposition.
Lucas Bergvall, too, had a rare off-night. Replaced after just 60 minutes, the Swedish midfielder completed only six passes, finding a teammate once every ten minutes.
His lack of defensive presence was also evident, as he failed to win any tackles and was dribbled past twice. Bergvall’s performance compounded the struggles Spurs faced in midfield, where they were unable to maintain possession or create any significant attacking moves.
However, the most pressing concern for Frank remains the performance of Richarlison. The Brazilian forward has been struggling for form and hasn’t scored a goal in his last six matches across all competitions.
His display against Monaco was arguably his worst yet, further raising questions about his role in the team. In the 70 minutes he spent on the pitch, Richarlison only had 20 touches, fewer than the goalkeeper Vicario, who managed 49.
He completed just six passes, failed to make any dribbles, and only registered one shot on goal. Additionally, Richarlison lost possession of the ball eight times and failed to win any duels. His lack of impact on the game led to him receiving a poor 4/10 match rating from The Standard’s Matt Verri.
Given his recent struggles, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Richarlison needs to be dropped from the starting lineup.
The £60 million forward has failed to meet the expectations placed upon him, and his performances have hindered the team’s attacking efforts. It might be time for Frank to give Mathys Tel a chance to lead the line against Everton, with the young striker showing more promise and energy in his limited appearances.
Despite Tottenham’s unbeaten record in Europe this season, the lack of offensive threat is a serious concern. The team has scored just three goals in their three Champions League matches, two of which were own goals.
Micky van de Ven remains the only player to have found the back of the net for Spurs in Europe, highlighting the need for a more clinical and cohesive attacking unit.
The match against Monaco revealed several weaknesses in Tottenham’s game, and Frank will need to make tactical adjustments before their next Premier League fixture.
If Spurs are to compete at the highest level, they will need to see improvements in midfield, more clinical finishing, and a much better performance from their key attacking players, particularly Richarlison.
If Frank can make the necessary changes, Tottenham may still have a chance to turn their season around and secure a top spot in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
