The View From The Lane: The Athletic FC's Spurs show Why Spurs lacked creativity against Monaco + Vicario to the rescue
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Oct 23, 2025 Join Dan Kilpatrick, a football journalist at The Athletic, and Jack Pitt-Brooke, a tactical analyst, as they dissect Spurs' disappointing draw against Monaco. They dive into the team's creativity struggles and Vicario's standout saves that saved the day. The duo also debates lineup choices, including the reliance on a midfield pivot and the challenges up front without a clinical finisher. Plus, they preview the upcoming match against Everton and share heartfelt letters from fans reflecting on their connections to the club.
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Second-Half Collapse Recreated Last Season
- The second half against Monaco resembled last season with Spurs offering little in possession.
- Monaco repeatedly found space between the lines to feed Balogun and create multiple clear chances.
Matchday Atmosphere And Vicario Highlight
- Elias Burke described Stade Louis II as an odd, community-style stadium with a small crowd.
- He highlighted Vicario's three top saves and praised Randall Colinarney's promising cameo.
Pivot Philosophy Versus Reality
- Frank is building his team around a defensive double pivot (the 'Bentinha' idea) despite the midfield failing to shield the defence.
- If the pivot doesn't perform the basic defensive jobs, its selection becomes hard to justify.