Thomas Frank admitted that Tottenham Hotspur’s flat performance in their goalless draw against Monaco came down to a lack of intensity and poor decision-making.
Spurs were lucky to escape with a point on Champions League matchday three, in what was their first 0-0 draw in 125 matches.
Monaco dominated much of the game, creating several clear chances and forcing Guglielmo Vicario into eight crucial saves. Without the Italian goalkeeper’s brilliance, Tottenham could easily have left France empty-handed.
The result came just days after a disappointing Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, and it was far from the reaction Frank had hoped for. Speaking after the game, the manager didn’t hide his frustration. He explained that the team struggled to reach their usual level of energy and sharpness.
“The intensity was not at the level we wanted for whatever reason,” Frank said. “Normally, we are very good at playing with aggression and drive, but today we couldn’t find that. It might be down to momentum or just one of those nights, but we made too many simple mistakes and poor decisions that didn’t help us.”
Spurs’ passing was sluggish, their movement predictable, and their attacks lacked any real conviction. Despite having plenty of possession at times, they failed to create meaningful opportunities in front of goal.
Monaco, on the other hand, looked confident and dangerous on the break, especially in the second half, when Tottenham struggled to cope with their pace and movement.
Frank was quick to acknowledge that his side was second-best for most of the game but preferred to view the draw as a point gained rather than two lost. “It was a hard point won,” he admitted.
“The first half was relatively even, but in the second half, we weren’t good enough, and Monaco were better. It took a lot of effort to keep the clean sheet, but we did it thanks to Vicario, who was excellent. Still, we didn’t hit the level of performance we expect, especially after the break.”
The draw leaves Spurs with five points from their first three Champions League matches, yet they’ve not managed to deliver a truly convincing performance in the competition.
Their previous European outing a dramatic comeback against Bodo/Glimt also exposed their inconsistency, as they needed to fight from two goals down to salvage a draw.
Frank accepted that the team is still learning to adapt to the challenges of the Champions League, particularly when playing away from home. “We’re definitely learning,” he said.
“Playing away in this competition is always difficult. We had to defend a lot tonight, but on the flip side, we did create some chances. Of course, I want more, but it’s part of the process.”
While Spurs remain unbeaten in Europe, there’s a growing sense that performances must improve if they are to make a deep run in the tournament. Frank’s comments reflected that awareness a blend of disappointment in the display and a reminder that this team is still growing.
The lack of rhythm, energy, and composure in Monaco was evident, and though the point could prove valuable later in the campaign, Tottenham will need to rediscover their trademark intensity if they hope to progress beyond the group stage.
