Borussia Dortmund 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur on 10 March 2016

Much-changed Tottenham were outclassed by Borussia Dortmund, who took a commanding lead into the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

With seven alterations, Spurs struggled to contain the hosts and were fortunate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's header was the only difference at half-time.

Gonzalo Castro hit the post before Marco Reus rifled in at the back post.

Son Hueng-min had a penalty appeal turned down but Reus then scored a half-volley after a flowing move.

Tottenham's heaviest defeat of the season leaves them a mountain to climb against a Dortmund team who must be considered one of the favourites to win the Europa League this season.

And in Mauricio Pochettino's 100th game in charge, his team selection perhaps showed that lying second in the Premier League is a more valuable commodity as Spurs seek to win a first top-flight league title since 1961.

Both teams are second in their domestic leagues and five points behind respective leaders Bayern Munich and Leicester, yet there was a gulf in class at the Westfalenstadion.

And with bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa Tottenham's next opponents on Sunday, questions will be asked about Pochettino's decision to rest Eric Dier and leave Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela on the bench, particularly from 3,400 travelling fans.

The young side could have done with more assistance, especially in midfield. Ryan Mason and Tom Carroll replaced Dembele and Dier, and could not cope as their opponents swarmed forward in the first half.

Only the experience of defenders Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer kept the scoreline at 1-0 at the break with Erik Durm sliding wide and Aubameyang having a goal disallowed after Hugo Lloris saved Henrikh Mkhitaryan's stinging shot.

Spurs also showed naivety for the two opening goals, failing to clear the ball before Aubameyang rose to head in from Marcel Schmelzer's cross, and slow to press from the corner where Reus smashed in Neven Subotic's header.

Thomas Tuchel's team cut through the heart of the midfield to set up Reus for the third, the kind of goal which the rested Dier perhaps would have prevented.

Dembele, Lamela and Kane were all introduced but they made little difference against a team who have not lost at home in 2016.

Dortmund have competed in the Champions League for the past four seasons and are only in the Europa League after a poor start to last year's domestic campaign under previous boss Jurgen Klopp.

But under Tuchel they have regained their former lustre, chalking up 12 games unbeaten in all competitions. At times, they mesmerised Spurs with quick interchanges in midfield and clever wing play.

Aubameyang scored his 33rd of the season, and could have grabbed two others, as he was ably supported by Mkhitaryan and Castro in attacking positions, with Reus and Durm offering dynamism from the flanks.

Dortmund have never won the Europa League, or the Uefa Cup as it was previously known, but on this evidence it will take a very strong performance to stop them reaching the final in Basel, and perhaps even lifting the trophy.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: "It is difficult to explain but it's a bad day and I'm disappointed with our performance. We did not play well. That is why we lost the game.

"We need to fight in the return leg next week. Three-nil is not a good result for us but we still need to keep working hard and try next Thursday.

"This was our first time losing 3-0 this season. We need to be calm and be sure it doesn't happen again."