Gallery: Player Ratings: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 RB Leipzig

Serge Aurier - 3

Serge Aurier - 3
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Nagelsmann targeted him from start to finish and it was for a good reason. It’s no secret that Aurier is a huge liability defensively and it showed again last night. Angelino had himself a game on the left side, freely attacking the right back who found himself either overcommitting, out of position, or outnumbered. He improved in the second half once the Leipzig pressure eased up but this game was a big warning for the second leg when Tottenham will leave more spaces in behind in chase of a win.

Tottenham Hotspur has to find an away win in Germany to qualify for the Champions League quarter finals after falling to RB Leipzig at home with Timo Werner’s goal being the difference in the first leg. Spurs were outclassed and outplayed for most of the game and the late push from the home side after the goal was not enough to find a goal.

The visitors started the game with great intensity and almost scored in the first few minutes, but both Angelino and Werner were denied by great saves from Lloris. The onslaught didn’t stop there as Tottenham were forced to defend with 11 players in their own half as Leipzig moved the ball to the attacking third quickly and easily.

Timo Werner missed another glorious chance while Lloris did his best to keep the score level. Spurs barely had a shot in the first half, with their best chance coming from a missed Alli header from a Gedson cross. The First half somehow ended goalless even though the shot count was 12 to 3 and possession was 66% to 34% in favour of the visitors.

The Second half started with more of the same as the Germans looked for the all-important away goal, but Spurs remained compact and looked to be in a slightly better shape than in the first half. But Mourinho’s plan A went out the window when Davies made a very clumsy tackle in the box, conceding a penalty which Werner calmly converted. Leipzig’s pressure didn’t stop after the goal as they tested Lloris one more time through Schick, who should have doubled their lead.

The momentum-changing moment came in the 65th minute, when Lamela and Ndombele replaced Gedson and Dele. Tottenham immediately looked like a different team, able to hold onto the ball in midfield, and threatening in the attacking third. Though it was clear during this period how badly Spurs are missing Son and Kane as the team couldn’t create any clear cut chances from promising positions. Tottenham’s best chances came from a Lo Celso free kick and Lucas’ missed header and Leipzig did enough to see the game out.

Mourinho’s first game without Son was a disaster from an attacking sense, and the team could not create anything in front of the goal. Although the problems with the team ran much deeper than that. The midfield was weak against the pressure, Dele was ineffective, the full backs were terrible last night.

At least Ndombele offers a huge solution and he should be on the pitch whenever he’s fit. His partnership with Lo Celso is so important to the rest of the season, especially with two star attackers missing. Chelsea game on Saturday offers a huge chance for Spurs to turn their season in the right direction, and the hope is that Mourinho will finally figure out a way to fix this team.

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