Tottenham vs RB Leipzig LIVE: Result and reaction from Champions League fixture tonight
Re-live all the action from the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham will again have to do it the hard way in the Champions League after they suffered a 1-0 home defeat in the first leg of their last-16 tie with RB Leipzig.
Spurs' run to the final last season was full of great escapes and comeback wins and they will need another after Timo Werner's second-half penalty gave the Bundesliga side a deserved win in their first ever knockout game in this competition.
It also sees 32-year-old Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has been dubbed 'Baby Mourinho' and is a rising star of European football, gain the edge over the man he has been named after.
But Spurs boss Jose Mourinho will claim this was not a fair fight as he was without two of his best attacking players, with the loss Son Heung-min on the eve of the match adding to that of Harry Kane.
The defeat would have been much worse had Hugo Lloris not produced a number of vital saves to keep Leipzig at bay, while Spurs struggled for clear opportunities at the other end.
Giovani Lo Celso had the best of them as his free-kick was turned on to the post, but it was a frustrating night for Mourinho.
Spurs will look to last season's semi-final, where they turned around a similar first-leg defeat to Ajax with a dramatic night in Amsterdam, and there is the sense that something similar will be required in Leipzig on March 10.
While Nagelsmann was enjoying his first taste of knockout football in this competition, this was nothing new for Mourinho.
But rarely will he have gone into such a big game without two such key men as Son and Kane and their absence really set the tone.
Although Spurs' problems were in attack, their frailties at the other end were immediately apparent as Leipzig had three golden chances inside the opening two minutes.
The hosts were sliced open down the right and Nordi Mukiele's cross teed up Werner, but his shot was blocked by Davinson Sanchez.
Then from the rebound Angelino's shot was turned onto the post by the leg of Lloris, who then saved Werner's effort from close range.
Spurs, with no recognised striker on the pitch, were hoping that the pace of Bergwijn and Lucas Moura would be their main weapon and it was the Dutchman who had their best moment of the first half.
The mercurial Lo Celso played him in with a deft touch and, after turning inside, Bergwijn's low shot was palmed away by Peter Gulacsi.
But from then on, it was a succession of missed chances for the visitors as Leipzig found holes in the Spurs defence at will.
Patrick Schick put a header just wide from a corner, Angelino had another effort blocked and Lloris was called into action again to deny Werner with a parried save.
The inevitable eventually happened just before the hour mark.
Werner's chipped ball was met by Konrad Laimer and the Dane was clattered into by Ben Davies, with referee Cuneyt Cakir rightly pointing to the spot.
Werner made no mistake as he drilled into the bottom corner for a crucial away goal.
It should have been even worse for Spurs as Leipzig got in on goal with a slick counter attack, but Lloris came to the rescue with a fine save off Schick.
Mourinho's side had to up the ante and Lo Celso came close to levelling matters in the 72nd minute, but his 25-yard free-kick was tipped onto the post by Gulacsi.
Their big moment came in the 89th minute, but Moura could not deliver as he did in Amsterdam last May.
Davies had space on the left and picked the Brazilian out perfectly, but his header went over the crossbar and it left Spurs with another mountain to climb in this competition.
PA
PREVIEW
What time is Tottenham vs Leipzig?
The match kicks off at 8pm at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
What TV channel is it on?
The match will be shown on BT Sport 2 for UK subscribers. Viewers can also access coverage via the BT Sport App.
Predicted line-ups
Spurs: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Lo Celso, Winks, Alli, Bergwijn, Ndombele, Lucas
Leipzig: Gulacsi, Mukiele, Klostermann, Ampadu, Halstenberg, Angelino, Laimer, Sabitzer, Olmo, Nkunku, Werner
Prediction
Tottenham have ground out some good results recently and Jose Mourinho is a master at stifling dangerous attacks in Europe. Expect a cagey contest. 0-0.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
36 mins: Lo Celso seems to be the man controlling th game for Spurs. When he's on the ball, he pulls the rest of the team forward with him. He sends a pass out wide for Aurier who puts a low cross into the six-yard box but it is too close to Gulacsi who smothers the ball.
Chance! As if with ease Leipzig work the ball through the white shirts of Tottenham's defence and find Timo Werner to the left side of the box. He takes his time before shooting and that gives Lloris the moment he needs to set himself and catch the shot when it comes.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
39 mins: Gedson Fernandes takes possession of the ball on the right wing for Spurs. He creates a little space to get a cross into the six-yard box. Dele Alli makes a fantastic run in front of the centre back and should win the header but he misses the ball.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
42 mins: Tottenham are tasked with defending another corner and Sanchez comes to the rescue. It's been a rather entertaining first half despite lacking in goals. Tottenham will want to get to the break on level terms but they have another corner to defend.
Nkunku delivers it but Gedson Fernandes heads the ball away.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
45 mins: Dele Alli wins Spurs a corner as the clock ticks down to half time. There'll be one added minute to play.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
45+1 mins: Halstenberg heads away the corner and the referee blows the whistle to end the first half. Spurs will be pleased to still be on terms, they've had their backs to the wall in that first 45 minutes.
The Chelsea teenager has had to bide his time on loan in the Bundesliga, but injuries and suspension now see him get a rare chance on the biggest stage:
Jose Mourinho will have to answer some questions in the second half. Tottenham have been forced to defend deeper and deeper with only Giovani Lo Celso looking to bring the home side out on the attack.
Bergwijn, Moura and Dele Alli have all had half chances but Spurs need to create better chances to allow them to thrive.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
Second half: No changes from either team at half time. It seems unlikely that Spurs will outlast Leipzig for another 45 minutes so has Jose Mourinho made the necessary changes for his team to come out on top. We'll find out.
Tottenham 0 - 0 Leipzig
48 mins: Serge Aurier comes bombing down the right wing with the ball and he sends it into the box as Moura makes a run for the near post. Moura leaves the ball and it shoots through to Gulacsi who palms it into the path of Bergwijn. He hits the ball first time but puts it wide of the far post.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments