PHOTOS: RB Leipzig defender knocked unconscious during Tottenham UCL clash
Football
By
Waweru Titus
| Mar 11, 2020
Nordi Mukiele was left unconscious and swallowed his tongue after being hit by the ball. [Courtesy]
A Leipzig defender was knocked unconscious after a horror accident against Tottenham in the Champions League last 16 clash on Tuesday night.
According to the Daily Mail, worrying scenes unfolded after RB Leipzig’s defender Nordi Mukiele was left unconscious after being hit by the ball during Tottenham’s counter-attack.
Shocked players immediately gathered around Mukiele, who lay motionless at the Red Bull Arena in Germany.
The match was halted and medics rushed to the scene with a stretcher to help the defender.
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Mukiele was then substituted with USA’s Tyler Adams coming on in his place in the 55th minute.
The 22-year-old Frenchman (Mukiele) was the whisked straight to hospital for further examination.
The French superstar had made four successful tackles and won five of his six aerial duels, without committing a foul.
Hours later after the horrific incident, a calm and elated Mukiele posted a message on his social media accounts to reassure fans of his well-being.
“A little fear but who cares?! The essential is elsewhere... historic qualification and an incredible feeling. Thank you so much for your support,” he posted on Twitter.
A little fear but who cares ?! ????The essential is elsewhere... historic qualification and an incredible feeling ???????????? Thank you so much for your support ???? #VIERTEFINALE @DieRotenBullen ?? pic.twitter.com/FAGr1jrm29 — N O R D I (@NordiMukiele) March 10, 2020
Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer scored two early goals as they eased past last year's UCL finalists Spurs 3-0 to reach their first quarter-finals by 4-0 on aggregate.
Emil Forsberg completed the victory with a third goal from inside the box in the 87th as Leipzig, who only got promoted to the Bundesliga in 2016, reached their first quarter-final in Europe's premier club competition.
"We did it better than in our recent Bundesliga matches. The fans are moved. This is a very big deal for the club. We are now looking forward to the draw. A special moment,” Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann told reporters.
Leipzig, third in the Bundesliga, were founded by Red Bull in 2009 by acquiring a fifth division licence and started in the amateur divisions.
Spurs coach Jose Mourinho said his team lacked rhythm and the necessary drive to beat the tough German side.
"It's hard for us to score at the moment. Our first couple of mistakes they score and then it's very difficult. Their physicality is incredible, their defenders win the duels, they stop the game. They are very fast in attack. They can hurt us all of the time. They deserve to go through,” said Mourinho.
Leipzig host Freiburg on Saturday while Mourinho welcomes former club Manchester United to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a day later.