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Away win in London: Leipzig shocked and spared Mourinhos Spurs

In the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League at Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig got an excellent starting position for the progress, against inferior English would have been even better.

Thanks to Timo Werner, RB Leipzig can dream of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League after an outstanding performance. The football striker crowned the dominant appearance of coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team with last year’s finalist Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening with his converted penalty kick (58.) to a 1-0 (0-0) victory in the first round of the last sixteen not completely sold out new stadium of the Spurs can win even higher, but still goes into the second meeting on March 10 with a good starting position.

At the knockout round premiere in the Champions League, Leipzig’s offensive was immediately at operating temperature. After 28 seconds, Patrik Schick just missed the Tottenham goal with his shot. A minute later, a double chance: first Werner’s attempt was blocked, then Hotspur keeper Hugo Lloris steered the ball to the left post after Angelino’s shot. Even in the period that followed, the Bundesliga second always embarrassed Tottenham with his speed football. Only Steven Bergwijn checked RB goalkeeper Peter Gulasci (8th), the margin Dele Alli did not put in the Leipzig goal. But that was almost the attacking glory of star coach José Mourinho’s team.

Not just statistically superior

Tottenham Hotspur – RB Leipzig 0: 1 (0: 0)

Tottenham: Lloris – Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies – Lo Celso, Gedson (64th Lamela), Winks, Bergwijn – Alli (64th Ndombele) – Lucas Moura. – Trainer: Mourinho
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Ampadu, Halstenberg – Mukiele, Sabitzer, Laimer (83. Forsberg), Angelino – Nkunku (74. Haidara), Timo Werner – Schick (77. Poulsen). – Trainer: Nagelsmann
Referee: Cüneyt Cakir (Turkey)
Goal: 0: 1 Timo Werner (58th, penalty)
Spectator: 60095
Yellow cards: Lo Celso (2), Davies, Lamela – Sabitzer, Timo Werner, Nkunku

The absence of the long-term injured Harry Kane and the loss of former Bundesliga star Heung-Min Son due to a broken arm was felt on the Londoners’ offensive. Neither will be in the second leg either. The RB cover, in which Dayot Upamecano was missing due to a yellow card suspension, was rarely in danger. The 19-year-old Ethan Ampadu made a sure impression as a middle man in the chain of three.

So the Saxons could switch to attack. In the first 45 minutes, the guests had over 60 percent possession of the ball and 13: 3 shots on goal – one goal alone did not succeed before the break. Even clearest options such as the header from Schick (17th) after a corner kick and the shot from Werner (36th), which failed in a free-standing position against Lloris, were left unused. After the change, Tottenham had the first dangerous action by Lucas Moura (48.).

Werner ends peat lute

Afterwards, the audience was offered the same picture as in half one. But to finally take the lead, the Leipzig team needed a penalty. After Ben Davies’ foul on Konrad Laimer, international Werner (58.) converted safely and ended his five competitive goals. “Our match plan worked out perfectly. We defended Tottenham’s long balls and crosses at the back and played very good football at the front. We were surprised that we had so much possession, but we made it a lot of chances,” said the goalscorer in the interview Sky’s team’s coup: “When I took the penalty I punched everything as if it were my last shot in this game.” Shortly after the opening goal, Schick could have increased, but failed again due to the strong Lloris (62nd).

Afterwards, the people of Leipzig took it easy. Tottenham was a little stronger. A free kick by Giovani Lo Celso (73.), which Gulasci was still guiding to the post, was one of the few excitements for RB. In the final phase, the hosts – driven by their coach Mourinho on the outside line – increased the pressure. But Leipzig’s defensive endured and saved victory over time.

The round of 16 of the Uefa Champions League will continue next Tuesday with the games FC Chelsea – FC Bayern Munich and SSC Napoli – FC Barcelona. Wednesday’s Real Madrid – Manchester City and Olympique Lyon – Juventus Turin matches. (You can watch all games from 9 p.m. in the live ticker on ntv.de)

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