Tottenham Hotspur were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League at the hands of Juventus on Wednesday night and fans were fuming with the performance of one of their defensive enforcers on social media.
Spurs had played a solid game for three-quarters of the tie, having rallied back in the first leg to get a 2-2 draw to take back to Wembley Stadium, however, a poor second half has cost them their place in the next round.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side were good value for their lead when Son Heung-min found the back of the net, but things started to go downhill in the second half.
A quick-double from the Old Lady outfit by Gonzalo Higuian and Paulo Dybala meant that the game had turned on its head and the Serie A champions progressed to the quarter-finals of the tournament at Spurs’ expense.
Tottenham could have conceded a goal in the first half when Jan Vertonghen brought down Douglas Costa with a rash challenge inside the box, although no penalty was awarded.
The Belgium international could have been fortunate to have still been on the pitch by the 30-minute mark when he made another clumsy tackle, which had earned him a caution from the referee.
Tottenham fans were disappointed to not have gone through, especially having worked so hard in the first leg to get the tie back to a level playing field, however, a number of supporters also took to social media to vent their frustrations.
A number of those angry supporters directed their criticism towards Vertonghen on Twitter, stating that he had been playing way below expectations and were causing them some concerns with the decisions he was making.
Here are some of their reactions:
https://twitter.com/Diamond__Dog/status/971526765561700358
Have to say Vertonghen, Dier and Trippier were poor tonight, in our biggest game of the season they let us down a lot.
— cam (@cxmthfc) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/CATRRUST/status/971503422343016448
Poch needs a word with Vertonghen at half time.
He’s been very naive for arguably the biggest game he’s played for @SpursOfficial.
I’ve been impressed with Sanchez, very good at reading the game and sensing danger.
If ‘Arry ain’t firing, up step the Son! #TOTJUV #THFC #COYS
— Danny Boyle (@DanjoBoyler) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/BeIgianCB/status/971488588197257216’
Vertonghen babe – you are overly triggering me in this game!!! #Spursdontlosefocusplease #TOTJUV
— * Mwah ♡* (@Doutzen_AutzYxo) March 7, 2018
Not to take a dig at him but Vertonghen showed tonight that Alderweireld is superior,need to get them back together and go strong for the rest of the season
— Jack – Enic Out (@Jack_Doyle82) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/TomFoins/status/971514219781918720
Just not good enough. Dier, Davies and Vertonghen poor. Dembele quiet. Agree on bench, no real game changers.
— The Real AG (@AGFrenchy) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/W4DDO/status/971507779524493312
Criticism of Vertonghen seems slightly unfair, especially given his long service to Tottenham and strong form of late, but his performance did highlight one thing.
Spurs missed Toby Alderweireld and the Belgian centre-half’s absence was clearly an issue for the hosts.
Just whether Juventus would have scored those two goals had Alderweireld been in the Tottenham defence remains to be seen.