Monaco boss makes ‘deserved’ claim and issues ‘very good’ Tottenham verdict after Champions League draw
AS Monaco manager Sébastien Pocognoli shared his thoughts following his team’s goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday night — a match in which his side largely dictated play but failed to make their dominance count.
The Ligue 1 outfit were in control for much of the game at the Stade Louis II, creating a flurry of chances and finishing with 23 shots to Tottenham’s modest total. Yet, despite their relentless pressure, the decisive breakthrough never came. While Monaco will feel aggrieved not to have claimed all three points, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham returned to London relieved to have escaped with a draw — and even their head coach admitted his team’s performance lacked the usual intensity.
Pocognoli, however, had little reason to criticize his side’s overall display. Though clearly frustrated by the result, the Monaco boss was full of praise for his players’ attitude and work rate, emphasizing the collective effort that went into such a commanding performance.
“I first asked my players this question in the locker room — how do you feel after a game like this?” Pocognoli explained after the final whistle. “It’s important for me to understand their mindset. Some players were disappointed, feeling they could have done more given the amount of energy they poured into the match. Others, though, felt proud of the level we reached tonight and recognized that this is the standard we must keep improving from.”
The Belgian coach continued, expressing the mix of emotions he felt after watching his team dominate but fail to score:
“It’s a dual feeling, really — pride and frustration. To produce such a high-quality performance against a very good opponent like Tottenham, to control the game and create so many opportunities, yet still walk away without a win — it’s disappointing. But we can’t overlook the positives: we showed tremendous control, creativity, and defensive discipline. We absolutely deserved the three points.”
When asked if the performance gives Monaco confidence moving forward in the competition, Pocognoli was quick to highlight the team’s progress, particularly at the back.
“Exactly,” he said. “We finally earned the clean sheet we’ve been chasing for weeks. Against Angers, we came close, but tonight it was a complete defensive performance. We barely gave away any clear chances — maybe just one moment where Krépin did fantastically well to track back and stop a one-on-one. That kind of commitment is exactly what I want from my team.”
The coach went on to stress the importance of the collective mindset required to defend effectively at this level:
“A clean sheet is harder to achieve than scoring a goal because it demands total focus and teamwork. Offensively, we were sharp — we attacked well between the lines, exploited space on the flanks, and created danger on the counter. The balance was there; now we just need to be more clinical in front of goal.”
Despite the impressive display, Monaco’s Champions League campaign still has ground to cover. The draw leaves them with two points from their opening three matches, meaning the club will need to collect around 10 to 12 points from their remaining fixtures to realistically reach the knockout stages — a target Pocognoli insists is still achievable given their recent performances.
Balogun’s Contribution
One key talking point after the match was Folarin Balogun, who was visibly frustrated when substituted in the second half. The American international — formerly of Arsenal — worked tirelessly throughout the contest but couldn’t find a way past Tottenham’s in-form goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
When asked about his exchange with Balogun after the substitution, Pocognoli struck an encouraging tone.
“He’s a positive guy,” the manager said. “He gave everything tonight in terms of intensity and teamwork. Of course, a striker always wants to score — that’s natural — but he should be proud of his effort. I’m someone who prefers to see the glass half full. Confidence is vital for a forward, and Balogun is contributing in the right ways. In Angers, he made the difference; tonight, he came up against an excellent goalkeeper.”
Pocognoli concluded by reaffirming his faith in Monaco’s attacking options, including Kevin Mirallas, who is helping mentor the club’s younger forwards.
“We’ll keep working with Kevin and the rest of the group. I’m convinced that with this kind of attitude and performance, our strikers will start finding the back of the net regularly.”
For Monaco, it was a night of mixed emotions — a performance full of promise, discipline, and attacking flair, yet one that ultimately yielded just a single point. If they can replicate this level of control and add a finishing touch, their Champions League ambitions remain very much alive.