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Borussia Dortmund were handed only their second defeat of the current UEFA Champions League campaign away to Tottenham Hotspur after Daniel Svensson’s early red card left the Germans chasing the game for much of the evening.

From the off, Dortmund found themselves under fire in North London. However, Niko Kovač’s men initially managed to weather the early pressure.

A counter-attack following a Yan Couto free-kick up the other end saw Xavi almost teed up for a free effort on goal, but for Daniel Svensson’s intervention on the cross from Wilson Odobert, not long before Nico Schlotterbeck then snuffed out a good opportunity for Dominic Solanke.

However, Spurs managed to convert their early dominance into numerical advantage when, in the 14th minute, Odobert retrieved the second ball from a half-cleared Tottenham corner, before drilling it into the penalty area where Cristian Romero was waiting to smash home the opener.

Dortmund were nearly gifted a way back into the game as Serhou Guirassy almost forced an error at the back for Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario, only for the custodian to recover and prevent the equaliser.

However, things went from bad to worse for the visitors not long after. Following a VAR review, Svensson was shown a red card for a challenge on Odobert – his first dismissal in a Dortmund shirt.

Continuing to probe down Dortmund’s now vacant left-hand side, Odobert registered his second goal involvement of the evening in the 37th minute, fizzing a low cross in for Solanke, whose scuffed finish was enough to beat Gregor Kobel as it deflected in off the left-hand post to give the London outfit a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

The half-time introduction of Julian Ryerson and Emre Can helped stabilise Die Schwarzgelben’s defence; the former even nearly halving the deficit from a direct free-kick not five minutes into the second half.

Spurs kept pushing for a third throughout the second 45. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani lost out in a one-on-one with Kobel and Pedro Porro squandered a gilt-edged counterattacking opportunity late on, as the Dortmund defence held firm.

A late flurry of attacks from the visitors almost spelled a consolation. Schlotterbeck came the closest after getting his head on free-kick delivery from Ryerson, but there was to be no late joy for BVB.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel (6) – Anton (5), Schlotterbeck (7), Bensebaini (5) – Couto (4), Bellingham (5), Nmecha (4), Svensson (3) – Adeyemi (5), Brandt (4) – Guirassy (4)

Others: Ryerson (5), Can (5), Silva (5), Chukwuemeka (4), Beier (4)

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario (5) – Porro (7), Romero (7), Danso (6), Udogie (7) – Gray (6), Bergvall (7) – Odobert (8), Simons (7), Spence (6) – Solanke (7)

Others: Byfield (5), Kolo Muani (4)

GGFN Man of the Match

Even before Svensson’s dismissal, Odobert was Spurs’ liveliest attacking outlet, consistently threatening down the right flank with his speed and accurate crosses.

The winger completed the most dribbles of any player on the pitch – 4/7 (via FotMob) – in addition to overperforming his xA of 0.93 with his two assists.

Schlotterbeck was Dortmund’s standout performer, producing an impressive defensive performance, particularly given his side’s man disadvantage. The German international won the most tackles of any player on the pitch (six) and came the closest of any BVB player to finding the net late in the second half.

GGFN | Sam Carey

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Leipziger Volkszeitung, Xavi Simons discussed interest from Bayern Munich and his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur over the Bundesliga club.

“There are always talks in football, but I don’t want to name any names. Max [Eberl] was one of those who brought me to RB Leipzig, and I will always be grateful to him for that. The most important thing was to find a place where I can continue to develop and play my style of football. That’s the case with Tottenham,” said Simons (h/t: iMiaSanMia).

Simons (22) joined Premier League side Tottenham for a reported €65m, signing a two-year contract until 2030 with an option of two further years.

Both Chelsea and Bayern Munich had shown interest in signing the Dutchman, but it was Tottenham that submitted the first offer and won the race to sign Simons.

The 22-year-old is expected to make his debut against West Ham United on September 13.

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an opening offer to RB Leipzig for Xavi Simons, according to Sky Germany. The Dutchman will not train with the Bundesliga club with negotiations about the player’s future ongoing – and a move before Monday’s deadline now looking increasingly likely.

Xavi is already in London with Chelsea also holding interest in signing the 22-year-old playmaker, but the west London club are yet to make an official offer which has opened the door for Tottenham to swoop in for Xavi, who is valued at around €70m by his Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Should Xavi leave RB Leipzig, the Premier League has always been the player’s preferred destination. Chelsea have long been interested but it was reported that only ‘loose communications’ took place. However, with the pending transfer of Christopher Nkunku to Milan, this could open up a space for Xavi in Chelsea’s squad, but it remains to be seen whether they will match an offer submitted by Tottenham – which is near to Leipzig’s valuation of Xavi.

It’s a tug-of-war between the two London clubs to sign Xavi before September 1, and Tottenham appear to be winning that race.

Kicker reports that a decision on Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic’s move to Hamburg will come on Thursday. The newly promoted Bundesliga outfit has reached agreement with the player and been awaiting the Premier League club’s decision for several days now. Kicker claims that Hamburg are prepared to give Spurs just one more day of grace.

Hamburg will wait until after this evening’s UEFA Super Cup Final between Tottenham and PSG. If the north Londoners cannot make up their mind tomorrow, the Germans will consider the deal failed and move on to other options. Without referencing specific names, Kicker notes that “parallel talks with other [defensive] candidates are taking place.”

Tottenham are thought to have decided internally that Vuskovic should be loaned out this season, but wish to take their time assessing which locale will best enhance the 18-year-old’s developmental prospects. Vuskovic only “officially” joined Spurs this past summer even though his move to Spurs was initially negotiated back in the autumn of 2023.

Bild reports that Borussia Dortmund have set their sights on Tottenham’s Mikey Moore as a replacement for Jamie Gittens.

After the sale of Gittens to Chelsea, the injury to Julien Duranville and Johan Bakayoko’s decision to move to RB Leipzig, Dortmund are continuing to search for a winger.

Die Schwarzgelben are looking for someone who will not cost more than €30m, and Tottenham forward Moore fits the profile they are looking for.

The 17-year-old’s contract in North London expires in 2027, and he is open to taking the next step in his career as he searches for more playing time. However, Tottenham will only let him leave on loan with an option to buy, so they can profit from his development.

Dortmund will still try to lure Moore to the Bundesliga. The developments of Jude Bellingham, Jamie Gittens and Jadon Sancho over the years would play into Dortmund’s hands when it comes to convincing Moore to make the switch.

Leeds United have joined the race to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Lukas Ullrich (21), according to Bild. Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton have also shown interest in signing the Germany U21 international, who is yet to sign a contract extension with his Bundesliga club.

That has prompted the Premier League trio, alongside Wolfsburg, in monitoring the player’s situation. Borussia Mönchengladbach have offered the left-back a contract extension to deter other clubs, which would see the 21-year-old earn a reported €2.5m per year. In what was a poor season for die Fohlen, Ullrich was one of the standouts with 27 appearances across all competitions in what was a breakout season for the youngster.

Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus is determined to keep Ullrich at the club but with the financial power that Premier League clubs naturally hold, it may prove far more difficult with heightened interest. Bild report that Virkus lacks the financial approval of finance boss Stefan Stegemann, who is keeping an eye on the club’s ‘cash-strapped’ finances.

Daniel Farke, who coached Gladbach in the 2022/23 season, is also targeting two other players from his former club: Nico Elvedi and Julian Weigl.