Leipzig Bring The Energy

In this Champions League 2nd Round 1st Leg tie; Tottenham Hotspur had to be considered favourites against RB Leipzig. However; what played out was exactly the opposite; as Julian Nagelsmann's young and talented side did 'a number' on Jose Mourinho's team at the impeccable Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Unfortunately; once again it was the defeatist attitude adopted my Mourinho that proved the undoing of Spurs. Even though they were without their two most influential players in Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min; I thought they still needn't have played so defensive & so deep; like they were the away side instead of home.

That only served to energise RB Leipzig; who proceeded to dominate the match with their possession-based passing and beautiful team chemistry. Central to it all was their central midfield duo of Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer; who were hardworking in the tackle and intelligent with their passing. In fact; they would have wondered how on earth they were not ahead in the first half; as they squandered a host of chances; notably through star man Timo Werner; especially in a triple-chance chaos right in the opening minutes of the game.

In the second half though; they got their due reward when Laimer made an intelligent break into the box; only to be brought down by Ben Davies. Werner scored the resulting penalty to put the German side in control of the tie.

And it was only after Mourinho brought on Erik Lamela and Tanguy Ndombele (for Dele Alli & Gedson Fernandes) did Spurs finally seem to come alive. Lamela in particular was tigerish in the tackle and looked dangerous on the left-flank with his passing and link-up play. The other bright spot for Spurs was the Argentine star Giovani Lo Celso; who continues his superb play in a Spurs shirt; unleashing a free-kick that was well-saved onto the post by Peter Gulacsi.

In the end though; it was all abit too little; too late for Spurs; and last season's beaten finalists would need another minor miracle over on enemy territory in the 2nd leg.