SuperJan

Super Jan Vertonghen! Spurs’ MOTM brings out the classic celebration after scoring the second goal in the 3-0.

Image Credit: The Straits Times

By Lee Clow

13 February 2019 | UEFA Champions League

Goals from Son, Vertonghen and Llorente have given Spurs a huge advantage going into the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.

Jan Vertonghen displayed a Man of the Match performance after scoring and assisting for Spurs in their 3-0 win over German league leaders, Borussia Dortmund. Early in the second half, Vertonghen, playing at left wingback, beautifully picked out Son in the box to open the scoring for Spurs. After the goal, Spurs took control of the game and late on in the second half scored their second, after opposite wing back Serge Aurier found Vertonghen to tap in. Only 3 minutes later, the north London club got their third as substitute Fernando Llorente headed home from a corner taken by Christian Eriksen.

Tottenham have a huge advantage going into the second leg and should welcome back key stars, Harry Kane and Dele Alli, right on time. Dortmund will have top goal scorer Reus back for the second leg and he will be needed if Dortmund are going to turn the tie around.

After the game there was much praise for the Tottenham players performance against a top-quality Dortmund side. Spurs who had made no signings and had key players out still managed to show their class not only in the league but in Europe’s highest competition. Huge credit must be given to Mauricio Pochettino and coaching staff having to adapt to what they have been given by the Spurs board. In the almost 5 years he has held the reins, he has converted a side who battled for top 4 places into a team that competes at the highest level. The one problem that Pochettino gets criticised for and still needs to solve whilst at Spurs is to win a trophy. Pochettino and his team are on their way to success however it must come soon before some of their big stars or maybe even Pochettino himself leave to go somewhere else to achieve their goals.

Mauricio Pochettino, after the game, spoke about his thoughts on the both halves of football. "It was a fantastic second half. 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.” Pochettino then went on to joke "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."

What’s next?

Tottenham next play on February 23 when they visit Burnley at Turf Moor whilst Dortmund are back in the Bundesliga on Monday away at Nuremberg. The return leg of the Champions League tie between both teams takes place on March 5.