Sabitzer stars as Leipzig torpedo Tottenham

Last 16 2nd Leg

RB Leipzig 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Agg. 4-0)

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.

Marcel Sabitzer celebrates scoring his second goal.

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.

RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg celebrates scoring his sides third goal.

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.

Tottenham host Manchester United on Sunday, while Leipzig are at home to Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be held on March 20 at 11am.

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