Thomas Frank singles out ‘exceptional’ Tottenham star for praise after goalless draw v Monaco
Tottenham Hotspur battled to a hard-fought 0-0 draw against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League, earning their first goalless stalemate in an astonishing 125 matches across all competitions. While the result extended their unbeaten start to the group stage, it was a night that owed everything to the brilliance of one man — Guglielmo Vicario.
The North London club looked composed and organized during the first half, moving the ball well and creating a few decent openings. However, after the break, Monaco completely took control. The hosts launched wave after wave of attacks, peppering the Tottenham goal with 23 shots. On another night, the Ligue 1 side could easily have scored two or three times, but Vicario stood tall and single-handedly ensured that Spurs escaped the Stade Louis II with a point.
The Italian shot-stopper produced a masterclass in goalkeeping — sharp reflexes, brave positioning, and calm decision-making under immense pressure. According to Squawka, based on the quality of the chances Monaco created, Vicario prevented an impressive 2.68 expected goals (xG) — a statistic that underlines just how vital his performance was.
His display also placed him among elite company. Vicario became only the fourth goalkeeper in the last decade to record eight or more saves and a clean sheet in a single Champions League match for an English club. The others on that distinguished list are Alisson Becker, Nick Pope, and David De Gea — all renowned for their shot-stopping prowess.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was full of praise for his No.1 after the match. The Dane acknowledged that Vicario had faced criticism for his performances in recent weeks, particularly following the defeat to Aston Villa, but he insisted that the Italian’s response in Monaco showed real character.
“Yeah, I think the two goals against Villa weren’t really mistakes — they were just two great finishes,” Frank told THFC’s official website. “But what I would say is that tonight he was outstanding. Some of the saves were exceptional, and he’s a big reason why we came away with a hard-fought point. In a tough group like this, that could turn out to be a crucial point.”
For Vicario, this performance could mark a turning point in his season. After enduring a shaky spell in form, he delivered under the brightest lights of European football, showing exactly why Tottenham trusted him to succeed Hugo Lloris as their long-term No.1.
Yet, as brilliant as his performance was, the challenge now lies in consistency. Great goalkeepers are defined not by a single heroic night, but by the ability to produce such performances week after week. With a daunting run of fixtures ahead — including clashes against Newcastle United, Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG, and Arsenal — Spurs will need Vicario at his sharpest.
If he can maintain this level of composure and confidence, he won’t just quieten his critics — he’ll remind everyone why Tottenham signed him in the first place. Performances like the one in Monaco could re-establish Vicario as one of the Premier League’s most dependable goalkeepers and a cornerstone in Thomas Frank’s ambitious Tottenham project.
For now, though, Spurs can be grateful that their Italian guardian was in inspired form. On a night when their defence bent but didn’t break, it was Vicario’s gloves that kept their Champions League hopes firmly alive.