Tottenham Hotspur went crashing out of the UEFA Champions League after an emphatic 3-0 defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig in Germany.
After trailing 1-0 from the first leg, it was clear to see from an early stage that last year's finalists just didn't have an answer for Leipzig's quality. A Marcel Sabitzer brace set the hosts on their way to the quarterfinals before a late Emil Forsberg strike wrapped up the tie.
Positives
Spurs were able to prevent the German side from controlling possession, allowing themselves to get their foot on the ball and forge a few opportunities here and there. Whenever they did pour forward, they did so with real intent. In the second half, they knew they had their backs against the wall, and they put together a few nice pieces of passing play as a result.
Negatives
There was a real confusion about how Tottenham lined up, with every single player on the pitch looking uncomfortable in their positional play. They left far too many gaps open in defence and almost invited the pressure from Leipzig. With every single counter came a tendency for the visitors to drop back and sit behind the ball -- despite Jose Mourinho's men being the ones who needed to get into the final third.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- While the options on the bench were limited, there's something to be said for Mourinho's decision not to seek answers from potential substitutes after a string of poor performances from his starting lineup. The decision to seemingly stick with three at the back didn't pay off, and there didn't appear to be any real urgency or leadership on display from a man who simply has not been able to deal with Tottenham's injury crisis.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Hugo Lloris, 3 -- It was another disastrous night at the office for the Frenchman who almost certainly should've pushed away both of Leipzig's first-half goals.
DF Ryan Sessegnon, 4 -- We saw a case of boy vs. men in Germany, with Sessegnon looking scared to make a challenge and hesitant in his decision-making from start to finish.
DF Japhet Tanganga, 4 -- He was struggling massively to cope with the pressure of Leipzig's attacking prowess and, in particular, Timo Werner, with the lowlight being his impression of a statue for the second goal.
DF Toby Alderweireld, 5 -- The Belgian looked off the pace all night long with his experience overshadowed by poor marking and lazy tracking back.
DF Serge Aurier 5 -- The fact that he was drifting forward so often showcased a real lack of vision, with his misjudged header leading to Leipzig's second.
DF Eric Dier, 5 -- From sloppy passes to poor tracking back, Dier probably shouldn't be trusted at the back again for Spurs anytime soon.
MF Harry Winks, 5 -- He was chasing shadows for the first goal, and following that, Winks' drive and determination couldn't make up for his lack of control in the middle of the park.
MF Erik Lamela, 4 -- He continues to come across as more of an impact sub than anything else, with this display highlighting his complete lack of awareness and confidence on the ball.
MF Dele Alli, 4 -- Woeful end product, horrendous attitude and seemingly no real interest in entering the discussion for England's UEFA Euro 2020 squad this summer.
MF Giovani Lo Celso, 7 -- The most creative man on the pitch by far for Tottenham with his brightest chance coming with a nice 41st-minute shot that forced a save from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
FW Lucas Moura, 6 -- Hard work and busting a gut to get to loose balls can get you only so far when your service isn't up to scratch, as Lucas discovered this evening.
Substitutes
DF Malachi Fagan-Walcott, N/R -- The teenage sensation gave Tottenham fans a glimpse into the future during his brief stint in injury time.
MF Gedson Fernandes, N/R -- A short cameo that did nothing aside from giving Lo Celso a few more minutes to rest ahead of the weekend.