SPURS SLUMP CONTINUES IN LEIPZIG
TOTTENHAM could not deliver another Champions League miracle as they were torn apart by RB Leipzig last night. Shorn of key players in attacking areas, Spurs had to overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their last-16 clash but slumped to a 3-0 defeat and crashed out. Marcel Sabitzer scored twice in the opening 21 minutes, Hugo Lloris culpable for both goals, to put the Premier League club on the brink of elimination and they were unable to reproduce their remarkable comeback from the same situation at Ajax in last season’s semi-final.
Emil Forsberg completed the rout late on with his first touch as Spurs bowed out with a whimper. Defeat, on the back of a disappointing exit to Norwich in the FA Cup last week, leaves Jose Mourinho with no prospect of silverware this season. Mourinho said: ‘Look, of course I was positive yesterday, that’s the way I have to be all of the time. If you’re not positive it’s better not to come to the game. ‘Yes we all believed but we know that in this moment it’s very difficult. They are a very strong side.
‘It’s hard for us to score at the moment. Our first couple of mistakes they score and then it’s very difficult. ‘We made mistakes, mistakes that we have analysed in previous matches. I never blame players with some difficulties. It’s hard for me to cope with players who cannot express their potential, not those who are at their limit. I am with the boys. ‘There is nobody to blame.’