Result means Jose Mourinho has still not reached the Champions League last eight since 2013/2014
Wednesday 11 March 2020 10:13, UK
Tottenham exited the Champions League without a fight as RB Leipzig ran out 3-0 winners on Tuesday to reach the quarter-final, going through 4-0 on aggregate.
Spurs kicked off needing at least a goal, but that became three midway through the first half as Marcel Sabitzer scored twice, first with a low effort from range (10), and then with a near post header (21), though Hugo Lloris will draw criticism for both.
There was to be no Champions League miracle for Spurs this year, barely creating a clear-cut chance, as Leipzig eased out the game in second gear, sealing the victory late on through sub Emil Forsberg's first touch (87).
The result means Jose Mourinho has not reached the Champions League last eight since 2013/2014 with Chelsea, while many will want to avoid the impressive Leipzig in the quarter-final draw on March 20.
After Spurs' heroics in Amsterdam last season, anything was possible in Leipzig, but Mourinho's side were down and out before they could draw breath.
Spurs could not deal with the pace and movement of Leipzig, and fell behind as Sabitzer's effort from 20 yards reached the bottom left corner, though Lloris could have got a stronger hand to the effort.
The visitors had to react by attacking, but left holes at the back as Leipzig went two ahead on the night. Angelino, on loan from Manchester City, centred for Sabitzer again, and his glancing header from 10 yards beat Lloris, who got a hand to the ball once more, but ultimately a weak hand.
Tottenham's best opening of the first half came through Giovani Lo Celso, finding a yard in the box, but seeing his curling low effort kept out by Peter Gulacsi, before Eric Dier nearly turned into his own net just before the break, but for Lloris' scrambling save.
Leipzig took their foot off the gas in an attacking sense after half-time, but still mustered up half-chances missed by Timo Werner and Patrik Schick, before Dele Alli's effort from a Lucas Moura centre was straight at Gulacsi.
The win was rounded off by Forsberg late on, finishing into the far corner from 12 yards just 32 seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Tottenham's season is in danger of being over by mid-March, with defeat against Manchester United on Sunday potentially leaving them 10 points off the top four with eight to play, as last season's finalists wonder when they will next hear the famous Champions League theme tune.
Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho: "The match I think of course the best team won. Physicality, intensity, counter attack, winning duels, really strong team in the top of their condition, with their best players, a bench that has quality, against a team that is in trouble, you could see. I don't need to repeat the same things again, we have lots of problems, and it is really, really difficult.
"[On Monday] I was very positive, but that's the way I have to be, and there is no point before the game not to believe, not to be motivated, optimistic, that is the way we sportsman have to be before every competition, but the reality is a different thing. One team in this moment is much stronger than we are.
"All the players that were in Leipzig's bench, they would all play in my team in this moment. So that is a big problem."
Sky Sports' Peter Smith...
"It was a sorry way to exit the Champions League after the joy Tottenham and their supporters had taken from the competition under Mauricio Pochettino last season. Now, with Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, Steven Bergwijn, Moussa Sissoko, Ben Davies, Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth also on the injury list, Spurs are on their knees, out of the cups and with a manager who has already stated his wish for this season to be over.
"Out of form, missing key players, defensive disarray, toothless in attack… But somehow Spurs must find a way to raise themselves for an absolutely decisive game against Mourinho's former club Manchester United on Sunday.
"Defeat would all but end Spurs' ambitions for the season - and have ramifications for plans Mourinho has for upgrading his squad in the summer transfer window."
Tottenham: One game to save their season - read the feature here
Tottenham host Manchester United on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm, while Leipzig are at home to Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday at 2.30pm.
The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be held on March 20 at 11am.
