Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 3-0 away at Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League this evening.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in the first half, before Marco Reus added a further two goals after the restart.
Find out how the match unfolded with Sports Mole's text updates below.
5.02pmAfternoon fans of Thursday night football! Here, we'll be covering a game that Son Heung-Min believes should be a Champions League tie. Sadly for the two clubs - Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur - it's only a Europa League last 16 fixture. Even so, it promises to be an entertaining 90 minutes ahead.
5.03pmFirst up, let's take a look at the two starting lineups in North West Germany...
5.06pmTEAM NEWS:
DORTMUND XI: Weidenfeller, Durm, Piszczek, Bender, Hummels, Schmelzer, Weigl, Castro, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang
Subs: Burki, Sahin, Ginter, Leitner, Ramos, Subotic, Kagawa
SPURS XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Mason; Onomah, Son, Eriksen; Chadli
Subs: Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Walker, Bentaleb, Dembele, Lamela, Kane
5.08pmMauricio Pochettino insisted earlier this week that the Europa League is just as important to him as the Premier League, but that is a little tough to believe when looking at the side he has picked. It's by no means a poor team that will take to the pitch, it's just rather under-strength, particularly when you consider the opposition that they are up against.
5.10pmThe headline omission is that of masked centre-forward Harry Kane. The frontman has scored 20 goals for Spurs this season and is their only senior out and out striker. Nevertheless, Pochettino has opted to start him among the substitutes, with Nacer Chadli - as he has done already in the Europa League - charged with the task of leading the line.
© AFP
5.14pmMidfielders Eric Dier and Dele Alli have not even made the trip, which has seen Tom Carroll and Ryan Mason come into the team. Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele, meanwhile, find themselves alongside Kane on the bench. There is also a start on the wing for teenager Joshua Onomah. Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies are the full-backs, while goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will skipper the side.
5.17pmAs for Dortmund, head coach Thomas Tuchel has unsurprisingly picked the three-pronged attack of Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The latter of that trio has been particularly clinical this season, with 32 goals to his name in all competitions.
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5.20pmFans of Spurs will also remember Nuri Sahin and Shinji Kagawa from their time in the Premier League with Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. Those two are options from the bench, but there is no Ilkay Gundogan in the matchday squad. Rumours have gathered pace over the last 24 hours or so that the energetic midfielder is in advanced negotiations over a move to Manchester City.
5.23pmPictures have recently emerged on Twitter that appear to show Gundogan in Abu Dhabi, where Man City's owners are based. The official line coming out of Dortmund is that the 25-year-old picked up a foot injury in training, but I'm not sure they're fooling anyone!
5.27pmRight, let's take a quick look at what the two managers had to say in the days leading up to this game, starting with Tuchel:
"It will be interesting to see which team can impose its style on the other. We're expecting a fast-paced game and a very intense encounter. We are looking forward to this match because of the tradition both clubs have."
Meanwhile, with regards to the Gundogan situation, he added: "Have Manchester City made an offer for Ilkay Gundogan? I don't care about these rumours. Gundoğan knows why he is here and how he can develop with BVB. If he decides to leave, we will be able to handle it."
5.30pmMeanwhile, Pochettino was busy beating the 'Europa League is equal to the Premier League' drum:
"We have a very tough game against Borussia Dortmund and I think the Europa League and Premier League are both our priority now because we have two competitions left. But at the same time, we are in a period that is tough for the players and sometimes you need to refresh the team and sometimes you need to rotate."
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5.33pmIt is a daunting task that lies ahead of Pochettino's men. In front of a partizan crowd at the Westfalenstadion, Dortmund have been beaten just once in all competitions this season, winning 15 times and drawing the other two games. They've scored 59 times in the German top flight - the same amount as leaders Bayern Munich have managed.
5.37pmTottenham's away form in the Europa League is not so positive, with just one victory from their last six trips and that was against minnows Qarabag. Results on the road have been better in all competitions, though, with five wins from seven outings.
5.40pm100 NOT OUT! It's a big night for the man in the Spurs dugout.
Mauricio celebrates his 100th game in charge tonight! Here are some of his best moments so far... #Mauricio100https://t.co/GWjNdr2gqI
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 10, 2016
5.44pmPochettino has been rightly lauded for the work that he has carried out since he took on the Tottenham hotseat, but what is perhaps not mentioned enough is the defensive organisation that he has implemented. The North Londoners have had a reputation of being a soft touch in years gone by, but not any more. In fact, they have the Premier League's stingiest defence with just 24 goals being shipped in 29 outings. Manchester United are next on 27.
5.48pmThis is, of course, the first of two meetings involving these sides. This time next week they will be gearing up for the second leg at White Hart Lane. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how these sides approach this game. You would expect Dortmund to dominate the possession, with Spurs looking to pounce on the counter-attack. As we've seen so often in European football, an away goal could make all the difference.
5.52pmPREDICTION: This is a really tough one to call. A lot hinges on how Tottenham's midfield duo of Carroll and Mason cope with Dortmund's more creative players. It's important that at least one of them holds their position at all times, if not the Spurs defence is going to be exposed. You have to expect Dortmund to score given that they are bound to see plenty of the ball, but I also think Spurs may nick a crucial away goal, possibly through Kane as a second-half substitute. Let's go for a 1-1 draw.
5.55pmSTAT! Look away Spurs fans! Dortmund have lost only one of their last eight home matches versus English sides in European competition. Guess who that team is? You got it! Tottenham's main rivals Arsenal.
5.57pmRight, the two teams have now made their way out on to the pitch and the pre-match handshakes are underway. It's a fantastic atmosphere inside the ground. Dortmund's famous 'Yellow Wall' are certainly making their presence known.
1 minKICKOFF! It's visiting Spurs, who will attack from right to left as you look out from the tunnel at the Westfalenstadion, that get this contest underway.
1 minCHANCE! Almost the perfect start from Spurs. It's a fast-paced opening from them as the ball eventually breaks for Eriksen 20 yards from goal. The Dane, who is operating in the number 10 role tonight, unleashes a dipping shot that is well held by Weidenfeller in the Dortmund goal. Positive signs from Tottenham already.
5 minInterestingly, it appears that Dortmund are playing a 3-5-2 formation at present. I must confess that I have only ever seen Piszczek play as a full-back for club and country, but he's one of the three centre-backs here. That might be something Spurs can take advantage of if the Pole is not used to that position.
8 minCHANCES! The first attack of the night from Dortmund as Durm crosses to the back post for Reus, who nods the ball back towards Castro. The midfielder goes for goal instantly, only to fire over. Then, moments later Durm scampers clear to latch on to Aubameyang's through pass. However, as Lloris approaches to narrow the angle, the Dortmund wideman drags his effort off target.
11 minCHANCE! Dortmund are starting to move through the gears now. On this occasion Schmelzer crosses from the left wing. Spurs have plenty of players back defending, but the ball is still met on the volley by Aubameyang. He volleys over, yet it's another warning sign for the away team.
14 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Aubameyang wheels away in celebration, but it's correctly cut short by the linesman's raised flag. First of all it's a stunning strike from 20 yards out by Mkhitaryan. The sheer power on the ball forces Lloris to punch the ball straight back out, where Dortmund's main frontman is waiting to slot in the rebound. Replays show that he was indeed offside, though.
18 minIf this carries on, it's going to be a long night for Spurs. They are seeing virtually none of the ball and when it does fall their way, they are being hounded out of possession pretty quickly. They need to weather this storm.
23 minTuchel has just pulled Durm over for a chat. He seems keen for the winger to remain out near the touchline, thus dragging Spurs left-back Davies away from his fellow defenders. That in turn should leave some space for the likes of Reus to exploit.
26 minDele Alli is getting behind his teammates from afar. No doubt the suspended midfielder would love to be in Germany, rather than watching at home on the television.
— Dele Alli (@Dele_Alli) March 10, 2016
29 minTo be fair to the Spurs players that are available, they have defended well so far and appear to have seen off that early Dortmund pressure. It's quietened the crowd down as well.
30 minGOAL! DORTMUND 1-0 SPURS (AUBAMEYANG)
30 minAnd just as I say that, Dortmund break the deadlock. Commentator's curse or what! It's a fairly routine goal in truth as Schmelzer swings over another cross. Aubameyang rises highest between the two Tottenham centre-backs and plants his header in the bottom corner, leaving Lloris rooted to the spot. The Dortmund fans find their voice again.
35 minBOOKING! The first yellow card of the encounter goes to Spurs midfielder Carroll for a high boot on the dangerous Schmelzer. That was dangerous from the youngster.
37 minCHANCE! From the resultant set-piece situation Reus goes for goal from 25 yards out. His shot beats the wall and also leaves Lloris flat footed, but it ends up flying a yard wide.
41 minIt's all gone a little quiet, both on and off the pitch. Dortmund are continuing to push forward in numbers, but they haven't work Lloris in the Spurs goal in the last few minutes.
45 minTwo minutes of stoppage time has flashed up on the board.
45+2 minHALF TIME: DORTMUND 1-0 SPURS
6.49pmThere goes the whistle for the break and to be honest Spurs are probably happier to hear it than Dortmund! The hosts lead 1-0 thanks to Aubameyang's 33rd goal of the campaign.
6.52pmQuite simply, Dortmund look a class outfit. It seems that every single player is comfortable with the ball at their feet and receiving it under pressure, including the goalkeeper. That probably comes from being on such a good run of form - players feel like they can do no wrong. The only complaint Tuchel will have with that first-half performance is that a couple more goals weren't scored.
6.56pmAs for Pochettino, this is a big 15 minutes for him and his side. Somehow, they need to get hold of the ball a bit more. Perhaps bringing on Kane might help with that. He won't win back the ball in midfield or anything like that, but he will provide the Spurs players with a target to hit. The frontman will run all day for his team as well.
6.59pmSTAT! Just about sums up the first half perfectly.
37 - Tottenham's only shot on target in the first half v Dortmund came after 37 seconds. Overawed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2016
46 minRESTART! Dortmund, who lead 1-0, get us back underway. By the way, there are no changes from Spurs, but you feel it won't be long until Pochettino turns to his bench.
50 minIt's been more of the same from Dortmund at the start of the second half. A swift break forward saw Schmelzer once again raid down the left flank with pace, only for his cross to be blocked.
51 minPOST! And that should be 2-0 to Dortmund. It's a perfectly weighted pass from Mkhitaryan that releases Aubameyang inside the area. His lobbed effort goes wide, but Castro pounces. The angle is narrow and he has teammates to square the ball to for a tap in, but he instead goes for goal and cannons his shot against the post. A let off for Spurs.
55 minReplays show that Castro has to cut the ball back there. Both Reus and Mkhitaryan are screaming for it, but he ignores them both! They aren't happy and you can see why.
58 minDORTMUND SUB: It's the home side that make the first change of the night as Subotic replaces the limping Bender.
61 minGOAL! DORTMUND 2-0 SPURS (REUS)
61 minTie over? It could well be. Substitute Subotic darts to the near post to flick on a corner. The ball flies across the face of goal for an unmarked Reus, who lashes a volley into the roof of the net from a mere two yards. It's a long, long way back for Spurs now.
66 minAnd here is that Reus goal:
.@woodyinho rifles it home from one yard out to extend @BVB's advantage. #BVBTOT #UEL https://t.co/KZNqdDw4Et
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 10, 2016
70 minGOAL! DORTMUND 3-0 SPURS (REUS)
70 minIf it wasn't already tie over, it is now! It's a lovely goal from Dortmund that sees Castro sweep the ball into the box for Reus, who instantly sends half-volley flying into the net. Spurs are heading out the Europa League it would seem.
73 minSPURS SUBS: Between those Reus goals, Spurs have thrown on Dembele and Lamela for Chadli and Eriksen. Probably a bit late for that.
76 minSPURS SUB: Now Kane enters the action as he takes the place of Son.
80 minA decent opening for Spurs as Lamela whips over a free kick from the right flank. It's a dangerous delivery from the Argentine, but none of the away side make a move for the ball and Weidenfeller is out to hold.
83 minDORTMUND SUBS: Off go the goalscorers Aubameyang and Reus, with Kagawa and Ramos entering the action.
87 minIt's all gone a little quiet. Both sides seem to have accepted the outcome here.
90 minThere will be three minutes of added time at the end of this contest.
90+3 minFULL TIME: DORTMUND 3-0 SPURS
7.56pmThere goes the final whistle and it's put an end to Tottenham's misery if truth be told. It's going to have to be a monumental comeback if Spurs are to advance through to the quarter-finals from this position.
7.59pmThanks for joining Sports Mole this evening and until next time, goodbye.
