Borussia Dortmund 3 Tottenham 0: Europa League hopes all but over after punishing defeat

FootballSportPremier LeagueTottenhamtom collomosse

This was the game in which Mauricio Pochettino showed beyond any doubt that he is willing to sacrifice European glory for a shot at the Premier League title.

Against a team as good as Borussia Dortmund, even Tottenham’s strongest side would find it tough. When you take out several key men, there really is nowhere to hide.

For his 100th competitive game in charge, Pochettino made seven changes to the starting XI, sending Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and Mousa Dembele to the bench, and leaving Eric Dier in London, while Dele Alli was suspended. Players like Nacer Chadli, Kieran Trippier and Tom Carroll are simply not in the same class, and will be exposed against blue-chip opposition.

So it was that in front of nearly 66,000 at their magnificent Westfalenstadion, Dortmund did exactly that. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in the first half and Marco Reus struck twice after the break. Heung-Min Son wasted Spurs’ best chances, but the result could have been much worse as Dortmund squandered several opportunities of their own 

#BVBTOT LIVE: Second half gets underway in Dortmund, with the hosts leading Tottenham 1-0 https://t.co/cUNSeFPsmZ pic.twitter.com/wJ8PkIiM6R

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Though the early signs were promising – Christian Eriksen had a shot saved by Roman Weidenfeller – the home side quickly gained control thereafter.

Tottenham could not cope with the width offered by Dortmund’s 3-5-2 formation, as Erik Durm caused havoc on the right and Marcel Schmelzer did the same on the opposite flank.

Durm was particularly dangerous. His cross in the sixth minute led to a chance for Gonzalo Castro, and in the seventh minute Durm should have done better than shoot wide when sent clear by Aubameyang.

Tottenham could not hold their ground either in the centre or wide. Aubameyang, unmarked, volleyed Schmelzer’s cross over the top. Durm burst through a tackle by Ben Davies only to be stopped in his tracks by Toby Alderweireld. Hugo Lloris parried a ferocious volley from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang tapped in the loose ball – only to be ruled offside.

Aubameyang was not to be denied. Just as Tottenham had started to recover their shape and composure, Schmelzer again escaped on the left and delivered a precise cross that produced the finish it deserved.  Climbing above Davies, Aubameyang guided his header low into Lloris’ bottom-left corner. 

There were some encouraging signs for Spurs. Ryan Mason was doing the work of two men to try to keep Dortmund at arm’s length while further forward, Eriksen was intelligent and creative. The Dane ran away from Julian Weigl, who looked an outstanding midfield prospect, and found Son, whose shot was blocked for a corner. At the other end, Reus was just off target with a free-kick after Carroll had been booked for a high tackle on Schmelzer.

Tottenham did not know whether to stick or twist. Though they were more cautious than usual, it was not enough to hold back the yellow tide.

Dortmund should have doubled their lead seven minutes after the break when Mkhitaryan slipped Aubameyang through with a perfect pass. The forward lifted the ball over Lloris but Castro, from a tight angle, crashed his shot against the post.

Son demanded a penalty moments later and perhaps had a case, as Sven Bender appeared to be holding him back. But Spurs did not get the decision and they were soon 2-0 down. 

Mkhitaryan’s corner from the left was flicked on by substitute Neven Subotic for Reus, who volleyed in at the far post. The understanding between Mkhitaryan, Reus and Aubameyang was a delight to watch – unless you were Pochettino.

With 20 minutes remaining, Aubameyang drifted past challenges and slipped the ball wide to Castro. The midfielder’s chipped pass caught the Spurs defence out of position again, with Reus once more supplying the finish.

Kane was brought on for Son after 76 minutes but the game was up. It will take a huge effort to rescue the tie – though if Tottenham do claim their first domestic title since 1961 this season, Pochettino will feel utterly vindicated.

 

ArticleTottenham's European hopes hang by a thread after heavy defeatTottenham HotspurEuropa LeagueMauricio PochettinoBorussia Dortmund Borussia Dortmund 3 Tottenham 0: Europa League hopes all but over after punishing defeat DortmundBorussia Dortmund vs Tottenham live: Spurs' Europa League hopes hang by a thread after heavy defeatGalleryPublishedMedium width1Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 19:54OnEnable video endboarddefault