Jose Mourinho has likened the current Tottenham injury crisis like “going to fight with a gun without bullets”. Tottenham proved toothless in attack in their Champions League last-16 first leg tie against RB Leipzig with Lucas Moura playing up front.
Harry Kane’s long-term injury meant Heung-Min Son had been the prominent option up front but the South Korea international suffered a fractured arm in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
The injury left Mourinho short of an out-and-out striker heading into the last-16 clash against Leipzig.
The Portuguese coach went with Moura up top with Steven Bergwijn and Giovani Lo Celso out wide with Dele Alli playing in behind the striker.
But they lacked true attacking threat and, despite an improved second half display, Peter Gulacsi barely had anything to do in Leipzig’s goal.
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“We are really in trouble. If it was just this game I’d say no problem but we have FA Cup and Premier League games.
“I know Lamela could only give us 20 minutes and I knew Ndombele could not play for 90 minutes. I tried to manage the pieces I had.
“Don’t tell me Lamela and Ndombele could have started the game, they couldn’t have started the game.
“Here we go Chelsea [who they are playing on Saturday at 12:30 GMT] drinking sparkling water with lemon. Saturday morning [looking at the interviewer – the game was moved for BT Sport coverage] – thank you very much for the choice.”