Marco Reus strikes twice as Borussia Dortmund crush Spurs
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Updated 11/03/2016 at 08:39 GMT
Europa League last 16 first leg, Signal Iduna Park – Borussia Dortmund 3 (Aubameyang 30, Reus 61 70) Tottenham 0
Marco Reus celebrates after scoring the third goal for Borussia Dortmund
Image credit: Reuters
Marco Reus scored twice as Borussia Dortmund coasted to a 3-0 win over a much-changed Tottenham side in the Europa League.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino elected to leave Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele on the bench for the last 16 first leg, presumably to save their energies for the Premier League title run-in – but it backfired as the Bundesliga side inflicted a heaviest defeat of the season on the north Londoners.
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Tuchel 'very happy' with Dortmund performance
Although all three came on later in the match, it was too little too late as Dortmund secured a resounding victory that will stand them in good stead for the return leg.
It took until the half-hour mark for Dortmund to open the scoring, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang making the most of Spurs' shaky defence to head home.
Reus then added two second-half goals, the latter of which was a truly sublime team move, making use of some crisp passing on the left wing before an incisive exchange between Aubameyang and Gonzalo Castro gave him the chance to round off the match - and possibly the entire tie.
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Marco Reus celebrates with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang after scoring the second goal for Borussia Dortmund
Image credit: Reuters
TALKING POINT
Can Tottenham recover this? Well, it'll be difficult. Dortmund were utterly sublime in spells, but they weren't given too much of a test. A full-strength Tottenham side at White Hart Lane would be a different proposition - but can they manage a win by four clear goals? It seems unlikely.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund): Difficult one, this, because Dortmund played so well and there were so many standout performance, but Aubameyang's sheer presence shook Tottenham's makeshift side from the off.
PLAYER RATINGS
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller 8, Durm 8, Piszczek 8, Bender 7, Hummels 8, Schmelzer 8, Weigl 9, Castro 9, Mkhitaryan 8, Reus 9, Aubameyang 9. Subs: Ramos 8, Subotic 8, Kagawa 8.
Tottenham: Lloris 7, Trippier 6, Alderweireld 6, Wimmer 7, Davies 5, Carroll 5, Mason 7, Onomah 5, Son 6, Eriksen 6, Chadli 5. Subs: Dembele 5, Lamela 6, Kane 5.
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Tottenham's Hugo Lloris in action
Image credit: Reuters
KEY MOMENTS
1' - CLOSE! That's a decent chance there, Christian Erikson finding space for himself but shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
6' - CHANCE! That's over the bar from Castro as Mason closes him down after Reus's ball cut back to the edge of the box.
30' - GOAL! Dortmund 1-0 Tottenham. Only a matter of time, really. Spurs failed to get the ball clear and crumbled under pressure - Aubameyang has all the space anyone could want to head home.
51' - CLOSE! That's the POST! Dortmund surging forward once more, Aubameyang has that over Lloris and Castro, looking for the rebound, hits the outside of the post!
61' - GOAL! Dortmund 2-0 Tottenham. Well, that was inevitable. Subotic heads that on, and Reus volleys that back at a really tight angle at the back post.
70' - GOAL! Dortmund 3-0 Tottenham. Oh, Spurs, this is not good. Clever tricksy wing play down the left and then a powerful run from Aubameyang, playing it through to Castro, who feeds Reus beautifully and what a great touch. Lovely.
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Pierre Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for Dortmund
Image credit: Reuters
KEY STATS
This was the first time this season in any competition that Spurs have lost by more than a single goal margin.
This was the first time since May 2015 that Spurs had conceded three goals.
Tottenham have kept a single clean sheet in their last eight European games.
Stats courtesy of Opta
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