Hotspurs stun Dortmund 3-0
Tottenham produced a magnificent second-half display to totally dominate Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund 3-0 and take control of this Champions League last 16 tie in the first leg at Wembley. Mauricio Pochettino’s side mounted a remarkable revival to advance from the group stage- and they made the most of that hard work to establish a perfect platform to reach the quarter-finals.
“It was a fantastic second half,” Pochettino said.
“The first half was difficult. It was a difficult game from the beginning. It was difficult to find what the best position was in both directions.
“When we had the ball we struggled to play in the way we wanted to play.
“The team started to feel comfortable, then we scored. And afterwards we played with more confidence.
“In the first half we played a little - not nervously - but not with the confidence. The second half was very, very good.
“We spoke about our defensive positions and changed things a little. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
“I wanted to take the best decision to perform in the best way. It was a fantastic game. Always when we play this competition and against a good side like Dortmund it is very difficult. There is still work to do.
“We have a lot of talented players. We have an unbelievable squad.
“I am happy with all the players. The only problem is that we can only play 11 and not 22.”
Spurs were irresistible after a tight first half, Son Heung-min breaking the deadlock two minutes after the interval with a side-foot volley from Jan Vertonghen’s cross. Dortmund, regarded by many as favourites with Spurs missing injured talisman Harry Kane as well as Dele Alli, failed to respond and the home side rammed home their superiority in the last 10 minutes.
The outstanding Vertonghen slid in on Serge Aurier’s delivery and substitute Fernando Llorente headed in Christian Eriksen’s nearpost corner - with Spurs also keeping a clean sheet to enhance their chance of progressing.