Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

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

Michael Jones
Wednesday 19 February 2020 22:45 GMT
Comments
(Getty)

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 - 1 Leipzig

 78 mins: Good defending from Halstenberg as he places himself in between Lucas Moura and the pass into the box from Lo Celso. Moura tries to reach the ball but isn't able to get past Halstenberg before it goes out for a goal kick. 

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:37

Tottenham 0 - 1 Leipzig

81 mins: Laimer is down holding his left shoulder after a challenge in the middle of the pitch. The Spurs' fans aren't best pleased with the amount of time it's taken for him to get off the pitch for a touch of treatment. 

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:40

Tottenham 0 - 1 Leipzig

84 mins: Forsberg replaces Laimer who never made it back onto the pitch after landing on his shoulder. Spurs have a free kick in Leipzig's half and Lo Celso takes it again. This time he hits the wall but Spurs are able to recover the ball. 

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:42

Tottenham 0 - 1 Leipzig

87 mins: Leipzig give away another free kick as Lucas Moura is floored by Halstenberg. The free kick is within shooting range but it's dead straight. Lamela takes the free kick this time and forces Gulacsi to turn the ball out for a corner. 

Lucas Moura wins the header at the bck post but he isn't able to control it and the ball glances off his head and out for a goal kick. 

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:45

Tottenham 0 - 1 Leipzig

90 mins: Big chance for Lucas Moura! Tottenham work the ball around the box really well. A couple of balls come into the box and are headed away. Ben Davies picks up the ball and whips a cross back in. Moura breaks away from the last defender and the ball reaches him. He just needs to find the goal but instead heads it over the bar. 

5 minutes will be added on.

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:49

Tottenham 0 - 1 Leipzig

90+3 mins: Jose Mourinho applauds his men as the get forward as a unit once more. Leipzig have men back so Harry Winks takes a shot from range. Gulacsi sess it early and makes an easy save.

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:51

Tottenham 0 - 1 Leipzig

90+5 mins: Ampadu puts in a vital tackle as Bergwijn is free to run into the box. He wins the ball and ends the attack and the game.

Leipzig have the victory in London and they'll take a one goal advantage back to Germany with them for the return leg in three week time. 

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:55

Leipzig deserved the win. They were the better side, they dominated possession for 70 minutes or so but Jose Mourinho will be encourged by the final 20 minutes. Spurs threw themselves at the visitors with Lo Celso and Lamela in particular causing problems.

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:57

The Leipzig team stay out on the pitch and applaud the visiting fans for their support. Spurs were poor tonight and will feel lucky to only be one goal behind going into the second leg.

Michael Jones19 February 2020 21:59

Timo Werner's penalty was the least the visitors deserved and Spurs now have it all to do when the second leg comes around in Germany: 

Michael Jones19 February 2020 22:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in