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5 things Tottenham learned from the Borussia Dortmund loss

By Rucker Haringey

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Joshua Onomah of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Mats Hummels (L) and Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund (R) during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on March 10, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Joshua Onomah of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Mats Hummels (L) and Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund (R) during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on March 10, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 10: Kevin Wimmer of Tottenham Hotspur clears the ball from Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on March 10, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 10: Kevin Wimmer of Tottenham Hotspur clears the ball from Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on March 10, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

4. Kevin Wimmer doesn’t mind the big stage

Despite the fact that Kevin Wimmer has played at Dortmund before, I still had some questions as to whether or not the occasion would overwhelm the young defender. Instead, the Austrian put in another solid performance and didn’t seem fazed in the slightest by the hostile away crowd.

It might seem strange to compliment a central defender when a team gives up three goals, but it makes sense in this case. The Spurs defensive midfield and full backs were much more to blame than either Wimmer or partner Toby Alderweireld. The central defensive duo put in a pretty solid performance despite the score line.

It was natural to expect Alderweireld to play up to his normal standard, but Wimmer doing so was a pleasant surprise. He didn’t put a foot wrong all day and even beat Aubameyang to a ball at one point in the second half. I don’t think Tottenham could have asked for a better performance from Jan Vertonghen’s replacement.

When Vertonghen regains fitness, Wimmer will likely return to the bench, but I think he’ll be a much more regular feature in the starting 11 than he was prior to Vertonghen’s injury.

Next: 3. Nacer Chadli is not a striker

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