Match Threads Spurs vs Borussia Dortmund - Match Thread

[Always Offside]

At least you have someone who loves you

Most of the time. I take it you're single. Enjoy yourself mate, play the field, enjoy answering to no-one but yourself. You will meet someone and know they will be the one for you. Then after 10 years of marriage you'll wish you were single again (Just kidding, I love my wife & kids & wouldn't change a thing).

Back on topic. We score early on in the return fixture & it's all but over.

 

[Spurs 1961]

One of those games never to forget. Even for Wembley it was a great atmosphere.mthose around me that started glued to their seats in silence finished on their feet and in full voice as Spurs played a sensational game.

Since watching the Hoffenheim game at the weekend I had predicted that if we could take the sting out of Dortmund then they would run out of steam in the last twenty to thirty minutes and their defence would be vulnerable. The first half was the battle I expected and by being tight for all the trickery of Sancho Dortmund only had one clear chance. When we did our now usual stepping up another gear in the second half there was only one team ever going to win

 

[spursfan77]

Funny how people see things differently. I thought Winks was very, very good tonight. Nothing flash but he showed for the ball the whole time, linked the back line to the offense and kept things neat and tidy. He won most of his challenges and they only got the ball off him when 3 of them surrounded him.

Yep. Winks was great. He’s the best central midfielder England have. Strange how things move on so quickly.

 

[spursfan77]

Not seen it mentioned yet but I think the ref was superb tonight. Let the game flow and always looking to play the advantage.

Was he superb or was he just referring a game of football properly?

The officiating we’ve had to endure in the premier league, especially at home, over the last 12 months has been diabolical on the whole.

 

[jonnyp]

I've rarely seen a player have 2 more contrasting halves than Sancho. Scary good in the first 45 and totally invisible 2nd half. Great tweak from Poch but Sancho went missing quite spectacularly.

He is what 18 years old mate

 

[Wig]

Indeed. It's a similar situation to when Liverpool were playing City in last year's semis, and people were expecting a second leg comeback. Spurs just need to play the same way, keep it tight at the back and when Dortmund open up taking risks to get back in the game we smash them on the counter. We should take no risks ourselves, take our time and let the frustration set in at Dortmund

 

[Paolo10]

Really?

I thought he had a good game

Wasn't consistent with his decisions, should have booked them on at least one other occasion, didnt give us one 50/50 decision and inappropriately touched up our MoTM.

Spoiler: Jan being Weinsteined...

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

What a cracking evening that will surely make Europe sit up and take note. No Kane, no Dele our two posterboys and we hammer a hugely well respected team convincingly in the end. Well done lads.

Also I see more posters voted for us to lose (26) than those that voted for actual eventual outcome, a win and a clean sheet (20). Brilliant SC, loving your positivity and excitement at what we could achieve this season.

 

[easley91]

Anyone else still buzzing? Or just me? Will rewatch the second 45 later today at some point.

The boys deserve this break before Burnley after the hard graft they've put in through the festive period up to now. These next 9 days should see Rose, Dier, Wanyama, Kane and maybe Alli ready to go for the next run in.

I said prior to the game Jan's delivery is top quality. If you see his (and Toby's) constant diagonals from CB you know they can put the ball on a six pence.

I am so so proud of this squad and this manager. To be where we are without signings, no stadium, next to no pre season for nine players, countless injuries. It cannot be overstated how well we are doing.

Very confident of scoring and going through in the 2nd leg, especially with Kane back. We rarely go a game without hitting the net. Maybe twice all season off the top of my head?

 

[Doctor Dinkey]

Still buzzing from my visit to Wembley yesterday. The lads were fantastic and Poch managed the team superbly. One of the best ever performances under Poch. Fairly close to the Dortmund supporters who kept thumping away most of the game but in the last few minutes lost heart a bit and were reduced to occasional bangs on the drum and a few plaintive flutters of their flags.

 

[Haddock]

I read that there were 30 broadcasters at Wembley last night broadcasting the match to 80+ countries. Make no mistake, this was a massive, massive display of the mighty Spurs. Upwards and onwards!

 

[ajspurs]

Certainly shouldn't underestimate them or get complacent. Will need to keep it tight at the back and frustrate them. Hopefully, they'll be more open than they were last night which would give us more creative opportunities.

Yeah true, they will have to be more open but that's provided we don't gift them anything. If they score in the opening 10 minutes for instance they'd have no need to be overly-open, they'd have plenty of time to score a second whilst playing cautiously themselves. I think it's just me thinking pessimistically, but I just don't want to experience that feeling of complete dread if we go 2-0 down.

When you look at it from the other side though, for them to go through they have to win the game 4-0 and if we score just the one they'll need 5. As much as I can imagine us being in a situation where I'm left shitting myself and at the edge of my seat, I can't see us losing 4-0, and that's even with Kane and Dele out of the side.

 

[vuzp]

just in case some people think it is all over
still buzzing after a super performance, enjoy the weeks rest and cant wait for the next game ))

 

[easley91]

just in case some people think it is all over

You're not Spurs if you don't expect us to go 2 down early on.

 

[Seafordian Spurs]

When Fernando scored a Spurs fan Tweeted: U OK, Huns? Although it is rather crude and inappropriate to use a war time derogatory term for our European cousins it did make me snort.

 

[rez9000]

Yeah true, they will have to be more open but that's provided we don't gift them anything. If they score in the opening 10 minutes for instance they'd have no need to be overly-open, they'd have plenty of time to score a second whilst playing cautiously themselves. I think it's just me thinking pessimistically, but I just don't want to experience that feeling of complete dread if we go 2-0 down.

When you look at it from the other side though, for them to go through they have to win the game 4-0 and if we score just the one they'll need 5. As much as I can imagine us being in a situation where I'm left shitting myself and at the edge of my seat, I can't see us losing 4-0, and that's even with Kane and Dele out of the side.

That's the real test: seeing if we can contain them early on. Game management, basically. Hopefully, we'll remember Juventus (in a good way) and stay focused. Get through the first phase of the game and, as I say, frustrate them.

 

[JimmyG2]

Cheese room is back on lads!!!

Not going to jinx it by saying we're through, but a 3-0 lead with Kane and Alli to come back, would take the most monumental of fuckups to not progress now.

Not a Feta Accompli yet though.

 

[spursfan77]

All this talk about a switch in tactics at half time is a bit of misdirection I think. The actual difference was that in the first half our attacking players were so static and hardly moved at all. It was so frustrating.

Second half people were making runs and making themselves available and generally moving about so much more.

Whether that was Poch trying to keep it tight first half then unleashing them in the second I don’t know but it was something that was easily identifiable from my seat last night. Not concede a silly goal early and then open them up second half. Perfect game management and we pulled it off to a tee.

The classic “run abaht a bit”.

 

[Gb160]

Mmm, Thursday night football. Nothing says footballing glamour like Bate away on a Thursday evening

View attachment 45472

Highlights? Now they're just taking the piss?

 

[rossdapep]

All this talk about a switch in tactics at half time is a bit of misdirection I think. The actual difference was that in the first half our attacking players were so static and hardly moved at all. It was so frustrating.

Second half people were making runs and making themselves available and generally moving about so much more.

Whether that was Poch trying to keep it tight first half then unleashing them in the second I don’t know but it was something that was easily identifiable from my seat last night. Not concede a silly goal early and then open them up second half. Perfect game management and we pulled it off to a tee.

The classic “run abaht a bit”.

Around about 30 mins in I saw Poch come to the touchline and signal "more urgency" "up the tempo" and we did indeed start to move it quicker and be a bit braver. He definitely relayed that message second half.