‘The result is 1-0 not 10-1 – it is open’: Jose Mourinho praises Tottenham’s performance in defeat by RB Leipzig and insists they can turn around one-goal deficit in Germany
- Tottenham lost 1-0 to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night
- Timo Werner secured a deserved victory for his side from the penalty spot
- Jose Mourinho says that he was proud of his injury-hit side’s performance
- He insists that they can get the job done in Germany and reach the quarter-finals
Jose Mourinho insisted he was ‘really, really proud’ of his injury-ravaged side and vowed Tottenham would ‘fight until the end’ after their were beaten 1-0 by RB Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash last night.
Spurs face an uphill battle to reach the quarter finals after Timo Werner’s penalty sealed a deserved victory for the German side in north London.
It could have been worse for the home side, had Hugo Lloris not made several crucial saves to keep them in the tie.
Jose Mourinho has insisted his side can turn things around after a first leg defeat to RB Leipzig
Spurs were short of attacking options after injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, with Mourinho claiming some of his players were ‘completely dead’ by the end.
He said Spurs went ‘to a fight with a gun without bullets’ and compared his side to Barcelona without Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
‘The result is 1-0 not 10-1 – the result is open, it’s as simple as that. We would not be the first team to lose the first game at home and win the tie away,’ he said.
‘The thing that keeps me confident is the spirit, the mentality of my players – it’s what they are not just as players, especially what they are as guys… a fantastic group of players.’
Timo Werner’s (centre) spot-kick saw the German club claim a deserved victory in London
Mourinho added: ‘I am so, so proud of players, what worries me is this is the situation for rest of the season… speaking of the next game against Leipzig one thing I can guarantee because this is the mentality of my players – even with I don’t know who will play in attack – we will fight.’
Werner scored the winner – a crucial away goal for the visitors – after Ben Davies upended Konrad Laimer inside the area.
Lucas Moura missed a late headed chance, while Giovani Lo Celso saw a free-kick tipped on to the post as Spurs pressed for an equaliser.
But a draw would have flattered the home side. Dele Alli was visibly frustrated after being brought off midway through the second half.
Mourinho says that he was ‘really, really proud’ of his injury-ravaged side’s performance
The England international was seen throwing a water bottle and his boots on the floor in anger.
‘I think he was angry with his performance, not me,’ Mourinho said. ‘I think the team improved (after he came off).’
Captain Hugo Lloris added: ‘It’s not the best result but we have to live with that and keep our chins up and we are still in it.’
He told BT Sport: ‘With all circumstances against us the last few weeks and months, we need to keep positive. It;s not time to give up or find excuses but to be ready to fight until the end… we are not really happy with result but have to deal with that. We did it last season so let’s hope with our fans. let’s try to create another story.’