Jan Vertonghen was helped off the pitch following a concerning collision with Tottenham Hotspur teammate Toby Alderweireld on Tuesday.
The defender's enforced exit after 39 minutes of the first leg against Ajax raises further questions about the sport's concussion protocol. He was initially cleared to play by Spurs' medical staff before he appeared to take it upon himself to leave the action.
Relieved Vertonghen realised so quickly that he couldn't stay on, but amazed - given how he looked as he went off - that a few seconds before everyone decided that yeah, it'd probably be fine, actually.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) April 30, 2019
Vertonghen joins a lengthy absentee list at Tottenham. Heung-Min Son sat out the opening meeting with Ajax through suspension, while Harry Kane, Harry Winks, and Serge Aurier were all unavailable due to injuries.
Moussa Sissoko, who was named on the bench in north London after shaking off a groin issue, was brought on in Vertonghen's stead.
The second leg will be contested at Ajax's Johan Cruyff Arena on May 8.
