Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld bemoans 'difficult night' against Borussia Dortmund
Toby Alderweireld has acknowledged Tottenham endured a "difficult night" during their 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion.
Mauricio Pochettino named an under strength side in first leg of the Europa League last-16 clash and Spurs struggled for long periods, despite making a bright start.
Dortmund took control of the game early on and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang powered home the opening goal just after the half hour mark.
Thomas Tuchel's side did not take their foot off the gas and will take a comfortable cushion into the return leg thanks to a second-half brace from Marco Reus.
Tottenham's defence has rarely been breached with such regularity this season and Alderweireld is keen to turn his attention to Sunday's league meeting with Aston Villa.
"We started well but they took control and it was a difficult night for us," the Belgian told the club's official website.
"For now we have to focus on an important game at [Aston] Villa on Sunday and then we'll think about the return leg."
Kevin Wimmer echoed his defensive partner's sentiments and admitted Spurs struggled to not only win possession but also retain it against Dortmund.
"It was not easy - from the beginning they put a lot of pressure on us," he told BT Sport.
"We always had to defend. When we got the ball we always lost the ball easily too.
"When you play like this in away games against teams like Dortmund it's going to be very, very hard."
The north Londoners have a mountain to climb if they are to overhaul Dortmund's lead at White Hart Lane and avoid a premature exit next week.
"It would have been very good for us if we had scored one goal at least tonight," added Wimmer.
"Maybe if we score an early goal [in the second leg] you never know what's going to happen.
"But it's going to be very tough for us to turn this around."
In Pictures: Dortmund vs Tottenham
In Pictures: Dortmund vs Tottenham
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1/11 Magnificent
Dortmund, and their fans, put on a spectacular display.
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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2/11 Frustrated
Harry Kane reacts after the final whistle blows.
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3/11 Journey's end?
The Tottenham players applaud the travelling fans after suffering a heavy defeat in Dortmund.
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4/11 Brutal
Marco Reus thunders home his first goal on the game.
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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5/11 On the cards
Aubameyang wheels away after putting his side ahead.
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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6/11 Clinical
Aubameyang heads Dortmund in front.
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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7/11 Close
Aubameyang lets rip.
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8/11 Focussed
Tom Carroll tries to win possession from Poland international Piszczek.
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9/11 Lost
Nacer Chadli failed to deliver in Dortmund.
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10/11 Fierce
Ben Davies slides in on Mkhitaryan.
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11/11 Pressure is on
Tottenham's hopes of progressing are all but over after their defeat in Germany.
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images