Tottenham are on the verge of reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at Wembley Stadium in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Son Heung-Min, Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente all hit the back of the net, which has given them a huge advantage going into the second leg.
The home side were missing stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli, which makes the victory even more special. Dortmund, who lead the Bundesliga with a five-point margin, were the favourites heading into the match, however Tottenham were simply clinical and put in a fantastic performance.
What is even more special about Mauricio Pochettino’s men is that despite their magnificent form both in the Premier League and the Champions League, they did not utilise the transfer market to improve their squad.
Stars such as Son Heung-Min, Kane and Alli all extended their contracts with Spurs, while Mousa Dembélé was sold to Chinese club Guangzhou R&F. Not spending any money in the transfer window shows that Pochettino has a lot of faith in his team.
And who could blame him. Without buying any players, they are on track to make the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Barring a miracle Dortmund comeback in the second leg, Spurs will progress one step closer to the Champions League final. They are only five points away from first-placed Manchester City in the Premier League with a game in hand, and they are every chance of winning a first ever Premier League crown.
It is possible for Dortmund to make up the first leg deficit, and Spurs will need to ensure that they do not go into the second leg complacent. The crowd will certainly come into play, while Lucien Favre’s men will be fired up and ready for revenge. It is no fluke that they are leading the Bundesliga and they will be no pushovers at home.
Anything can happen with plenty of time remaining in the season, and Tottenham fans can follow their club with both excitement and pride.
The position that Pochettino has put them in, without being active in the transfer market, is a remarkable achievement and an incredible story in a time where money dominates football.
