Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld insists they're improving their mental toughness.

Alderweireld claims they took the first step with a brilliant two-legged victory over Borussia Dortmund which was completed in Germany as they silenced the famous yellow wall.

Alderweireld said: “Yeah, we're trying to do that (change the DNA), we're working hard. Maybe the team of a couple of years ago would concede (in the first half) and then it's much more difficult so we are making steps forward.

“Sometimes you just need to play games. We've been there last season (into the last 16), fortunately we didn't get through but it does give you the experience, the know-how of what you need to do to get to the next round. Of course we had the good result in our home game.

“The last game against Arsenal we dug in, we conceded early and came back to get a result. It was the same in Dortmund, on the big European nights it's important to take the next steps because this is a very difficult ground to come to.

“You have to be strong when needed. Of course when we play good football like we did in the second half, but sometimes it's difficult when you play the best teams in the world it doesn't go your way so you have to dig in and be strong as a team and defend and get clean sheets."