This is undoubtedly one of the biggest nights in the history of Tottenham Hotspur football club. For the first time in their history Spurs have made it to the Quarter Final stage of the Champions League, and tonight they will be travelling to none other than the home of Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabeau. Tottenham fans and players alike will be unbelievably proud that their team has managed to silence their critics and advance into the latter stages of the world’s most coveted competition in club football.
So far in this year’s tournament Tottenham have finished top of Group A ahead of FC Twente, Werder Bremen and European Champions, Inter Milan. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Tottenham also managed to beat current leaders of Serie A, AC Milan, one nil on aggregate; you have to give them credit for stopping the likes of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Pato from scoring for 180 minutes of football.
Tottenham will be encouraged by a few things going into this game tonight, their talismanic duo of Rafael Van Der Vaart and Gareth Bale have both been declared fit to play. Van Der Vaart will be more determined than ever tonight, he will want to prove to his old club that they were wrong to sell him. Tottenham are also boosted by the return of centre back William Gallas, the defender has been an absolute rock for Harry Redknapp’s side this season, so to have him fit will give the players around him a massive lift.
One thing that might concern Tottenham is their lack of form going into this game, in their two league games since the 0-0 draw with AC Milan at White Hart Lane, Tottenham have drawn against two sides in the relegation zone, Wigan and West Ham. In fact their last win in all competitions was that famous 1-0 win against AC Milan at the Nou Camp on the 15th of February, they’ve also only scored once in their last four games, quite a shocking statistic when you consider the way in which Tottenham have played this season.
Real Madrid will be going into this tie under a lot of pressure, when Jose Mourinho is your manager you’re expected to win trophies, with respect to Tottenham, Real Madrid have a much bigger reputation in world football and will be expected to win over the course of the two legs. Real Madrid have not had the greatest preparation leading up to this game, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are all coming back from injuries, Ronaldo in particular has looked off form since returning a couple of weeks ago.
Real Madrid will be rocked by their 1-0 defeat to Sporting Gijon at the weekend; this was Mourinho’s first home defeat in 150 home games, this will be a massive psychological blow to a team that would have used this statistic to their advantage in the past, giving them added confidence. Spurs are a much tougher side than Sporting Gijon, it’d be quite phenomenal if Tottenham managed to make it two home defeats in two for Jose Mourinho after such a long time without losing a home game.
One plus for Madrid is that Gonzalo Higuain has returned after a lengthy period out with injury, the striker was in prolific form before his injury and compliments Real Madrid’s team with his physical presence. William Gallas and Michael Dawson will have to be on top of their game if they’re to keep him quiet this evening, if they succeed, there’s a good chance that they may be able to keep another clean sheet in the tournament tonight.
Madrid will be without Karim Benzema, a player who just wasn’t performing for Madrid in his first 18 months had finally hit form, Benzema’s power and pace will be missed. Although Di Maria and Kaka are returning, they haven’t been training very much at all recently, they’re both coming back from injuries so might be a little bit short on match fitness, it’s evident that Madrid have quite a few issues going into this tie.
As for team news Tottenham will be relatively happy with their squad going into tonight’s game, Sandro will be likely to continue alongside Modric, Sandro came of age when he performed against AC Milan in the previous round and will have to keep up this form if he’s to keep Xabi Alonso quiet tonight. Tottenham will be hoping that Gareth Bale is fully fit after recently returning from injury, Sergio Ramos will definitely have seen how easily Bale ripped Maicon to shreds earlier this season and will have to be on top of his game if he is to stop the Welshman.
Real Madrid are only missing the one player who would be considered a regular starter in Karim Benzema, but with the return of Higuain, they may not miss him that much. Madrid will also be without Fernando Gago, Sergio Canales, Pedro Leon and Raul Albiol, all of these are considered fringe players so it won’t be too much of a concern for Jose Mourinho’s side. Knowledge of the fact that they haven’t conceded a goal in their four Champions League home games so far this season, may give them an extra bit of confidence.
My Predicition: Real Madrid 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0
Possible Line-ups:
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