Dominant but unrewarded, AS Monaco draw against Tottenham
They showed courage to secure a valuable point. Facing Tottenham, for the third day of the Champions League phase, the AS Monaco players put in a very convincing collective performance and manhandled the last winners of the C3 (0-0). A match played in a sold-out Stade Louis-II, in the presence of President Dmitry Rybolovlev. ✍️
The context 📅
Three weeks after a draw with Manchester City at home (1-1), AS Monaco were hosting another English team in the Champions League: Tottenham. Against the winners of the previous Europa League, the Rouge et Blanc would certainly have their work cut out for them, but they will be able to rely on a favorable history against English sides in the debut of Sébastien Pocognoli on the touchline in Fontvieille.
The XI 👥
For his Champions League debut on the Monaco bench, the Belgian coach made only one change from the XI that started in Angers, with the introduction of Folarin Balogun, alongside Ansu Fati and Maghnes Akliouche in attack. The 3-4-3 formation was thus retained with Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu and Caio Henrique in defense, while Jordan Teze and Mamadou Coulibaly started in midfield.
The scenario 🎞
In a Stade Louis-II that was once again very full, the AS Monaco players took the match by storm and created two opportunities through Folarin Balogun, who came up against Guglielmo Vicario (10′), before Ansu Fati’s pass to Maghnes Akliouche was read well by Pedro Porro (12′). We had to watch out, however, for Micky Van de Ven’s header that went over the bar (20′).
Our Monégasques prove dominant
Monaco nevertheless remained dominant with a cross-shot from the newly minted French international saved by the goalkeeper (26′). This was before the American striker had two chances but came up against a Vicario in great form (28′), (36′). In the meantime, the Spurs right back saw his right-footed attempt go too high (32′). At half-time, the two teams were therefore level at the end of a first period played in favor of the Rouge et Blanc.
Mi-temps.
Score nul et vierge à la pause malgré un premier acte animé. Rendez-vous dans 15 minutes !
45' | 0️⃣-0️⃣ #ASMTOT pic.twitter.com/hixmOFm6CH
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 22, 2025
Golovin makes his return
The fifteen-minute break did not dampen the enthusiasm of AS Monaco, who were dangerous through Maghnes Akliouche, whose attempt was stopped at the near post (50′). In the same vein, Wilson Odobert’s shot, for Spurs, was deflected by Jordan Teze at the last moment (51′). Looking to change the match, Sébastien Pocognoli brought on Aleksandr Golovin, who made his return to competition (57′).
The Rouge et Blanc continue to push for a winner
And the Russian midfielder soon puts his magic right foot to good use, but Gugliemo Vicario stretched well to push the shot away for a corner (67′). Thilo Kehrer’s header then just missed the post (68′). The Rouge et Blanc pushed on, and the versatile Dutchman’s header from close range was then deflected by the goalkeeper (74′). Meanwhile, Takumi Minamino, who came on earlier, creates three opportunities, but all went narrowly wide (79′), (81′), (82′).
A frustrating draw, but the first clean sheet of the season
Then it was “Magic” Maghnes’s turn to see his shot go wide (88′). Spurs went on the counterattack, and on one of them, Christian Mawissa’s fine rebound was needed to deflect a shot from Brennan Johnson (89′). It was the final opportunity in a match largely dominated by AS Monaco, which ended in a goalless draw (0-0), the team’s first clean sheet of the season.
Fin du match 🏁
Les deux équipes se partagent les points.
0️⃣-0️⃣ #ASMTOT pic.twitter.com/ABG6iD07Gf
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 22, 2025
The next match in the competition will be at Bodø/Glimt on Tuesday, November 4 (9 p.m.), to try to build on this good point. Before that, they will face Toulouse, for the 9th matchday of Ligue 1, this Saturday (7 p.m.), at the Stade Louis-II. DAGHE MUNEGU!!! 🇲🇨
Key moments 🎥
10′: Balogun stumbles against Vicario at a tight angle at the near post
12′: Fati’s pass in the box for Akliouche, cleared by Porro
20′: Van de Ven heads over Köhn’s bar
26′: Akliouche’s cross-cum-shot is swatted away by Vicario
28′: Balogun loses his one-on-one in front of the Tottenham goalkeeper
32′: Porro’s powerful shot is too high
36′: Vicario makes a great save from Balogun’s attempt
50′: Akliouche’s shot is saved by Vicario at his near post
51′: Odobert’s attempt is deflected over by Teze
67′: Golovin’s curling effort is cleared by Vicario for a corner
68′: Kehrer’s header just misses the Spurs post
74′: Vicario makes a magnificent save to deny Teze
79′: Magnificent play finished off but Minamino’s shot goes over
81′: Minamino’s first-time shot goes wide
82′: Minamino’s shot goes slightly over
88′: Akliouche attempts to cross Vicario’s goal
89′: Mawissa uses his body to push away a shot from Johnson
The stat 📊
AS Monaco attempted 23 shots tonight against Tottenham, their highest total without scoring in a Champions League match that Opta analyzes the competition (2003-2004).
🗓️ Match details:
Wednesday, October 22 2025 (21:00) – Stade Louis-II
Champions – Matchday 3: AS Monaco 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Halftime: 0-0
Bookings: Richarlison (47′) for Tottenham
AS Monaco: Köhn – Kehrer ©, Salisu, C.Henrique – Diatta, Teze, Coulibaly (Golovin, 57′), Ouattara (Mawissa, 70′) – Akliouche, Fati (Minamino, 70′) – Balogun (Biereth, 83′)
Substitutes: Lienard, Stawiecki, Mawissa, Bamba, Cabral, Golovin, Idumbo, Minamino, Biereth, Ilenikhena, Michal
Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli
Tottenham: Vicario – Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Gray – Palhinha, Bergvall (Xavi Simons, 60′), Bentancur (Sarr, 60′) – Kudus (Spence, 79′), Richarlison (Kolo Muani, 70′), Odobert (Johnson, 70′)
Substitutes: Austin, Kinsky, Byfield, Spence, Johnson, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Sarr, Kolo Muani, Xavi Simons, Scarlett
Manager: Thomas Frank
