No Way Jose

There was to be no fairy-tale comeback this time for Tottenham Hotspur; as German powerhouses RB Leipzig defeated them 3-0 in the second leg; and 4-0 on aggregate; in front of a rabid Red Bull Arena.

Spurs actually started the match pretty well; with slick passing and good usage of the ball. However, it did not take long for Julian Nagelsmann's impressive side to come to terms with the occasion; as their classy 3-4-3 formation started to take hold of proceedings. Midway through the first half; their inspirational captain Marcel Sabitzer played a lovely ball out wide for Konrad Laimer; who played an infield pass for Timo Werner. The much-heralded German international's shot was blocked well by Eric Dier; but with the Spurs rearguard descending way too deep; Werner relayed a ball for Sabitzer to unleash a superb shot that just beat Hugo Lloris' despairing dive. It was yet another poor piece of defending all-round for Jose Mourinho's men; which is so unlike their manager's usual mantra.

It shortly became worse for the visitors; as Manchetser City loanee Angelino; so impressive foraging down the left flank; crossed for that man Sabitzer to head in unerringly at the near-post. Spurs shoulders started to slump; and justifiably so. Without a leading front-man to hold things up; Spurs have looked increasingly laboured in recent times; with Dele Alli and Lucas Moura amongst those who prefer linking things up from a deeper perspective; and finding themselves increasingly frustrated. Mourinho's tactical selection could also be questioned; with young and inexperienced defenders Japhet Tanganga and Ryan Sessegnon thrown in at the deep end for such a momentous occasion.

Things did not improve for Spurs in the second half; and the final icing on the cake for Leipzig came when Swedish substitute Emil Forsberg latched on to a loose ball in the penalty area to score with almost his first touch. It wrapped up a superb, slick and clinical performance from the Bundesliga's third-placed side. For Spurs; there was to be no frayed Ajax nerves; no miraculous Lucas Moura hat-trick; and no Pochettino tears. Last year's Champons League finalists; were no more.