Tottenham star Dele Alli explains outburst at Jose Mourinho decision in Champions League
Tottenham star Dele Alli has explained his angry outburst at Jose Mourinho after being substituted in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie against RB Leipzig, ahead of their next match on Tuesday, with the Spurs midfielder claiming that his passion shone through on a difficult night.
Tottenham: 'I was very frustrated’ at substitution says Dele Alli
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has admitted that he was frustrated by Jose Mourinho's decision to substitute him in the 1-0 home defeat to RB Leipzig. Spurs head to the Bundesliga side on Tuesday this week, hoping to turn around their first leg deficit to make it to the Champions League quarter finals.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"You just want to help the team and I didn’t play very well in that game either.
"Sometimes the passion and frustration can get the better of you. It means I care."
After the match, manager Jose Mourinho was asked about Alli's reaction to his decision.
The Spurs boss claimed that Alli was purely angry at his own performance in the tie.
Tottenham news: Alli was left fuming at Mourinho's decision to replace him (Image: GETTY Images)
"I think he was angry with his performance. Not with me," he said.
"I think he understood why I took him off and the team improved."
Tottenham will be relying on Alli to get on the scoresheet in Germany, after Steven Bergwijn was injured last weekend.
He was Spurs' third first-team forward to be ruled out since the start of 2020, and Mourinho admitted that he doesn't expect the Dutch winger to be back this season.
The Tottenham manager hasn't ruled out his side progressing to the next round of the competition, however.
Mourinho said that they'll find it difficult to score goals without their leading goalscorers, but there's always a chance to bag a couple of freak goals.
"You ask me how can you score two goals without Kane, Son, Bergwijn," said Mourinho.
"There are many ways to score goals. A Leipzig player could even do what Antonio Rudiger did and score for us."