However, Monaco saw out the final few minutes to leave Wembley flat and Tottenham in desperate need of a result when they travel to CSKA Moscow on matchday two on 27 September.
Advertisement
The 85,011 crowd was a record for a British club at home in the Champions League, but the match lacked the intensity of Tottenham’s memorable 2010-11 campaign when they won four of their five home fixtures to reach the last eight at the first time of asking.
Goals from Bernando Silva and Thomas Lemar gave Monaco the lead against the run of play but despite Toby Alderweireld getting one back before the break, Mauricio Pochettino’s men could not force an equaliser as they suffered an opening-game setback at Wembley Stadium. “We need to show a different image than we showed in the first half”. “It’s true that we created more chances [in the second half], more corners, more shots, more position, all of that – we were better than Monaco but they were more effective”.
“All players, especially good players, love to play in a stadium that is brim full”, Monaco’s Jardim, who likened the win to his side’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the last 16 in 2015, said.
“It’s our first loss and it’s a big disappointment because there was big expectation. And now we are in the Champions league we need to enjoy it, we need to perform well and we need to get great team performances”. “Today was not enough”. “We need to finish strongly as well and be a lot more clinical”.
“Players love to play in a huge, full stadium, I think the size of the pitch affected Tottenham more than it did us”.
Mauricio Pochettino accused his Tottenham flops of lacking passion after Monaco ruined their record-breaking night at Wembley with a 2-1 win in the Champions League.
Alli concedes that Spurs were made to pay for a disappointing start but insists they can still match the very best that the continent has to offer. He’s a brilliant player and we’re excited to have him back – but Victor [Wanama] has done really well since he’s come in, and Eric as well in centre midfield.
Advertisement
“This is a fantastic opportunity to show how big is our club”, Pochettino said before kick-off. “It’s just ourselves. We knew what to expect, we had tactics, I just think the slow start killed us”.
