Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur – Match Preview: UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid takes on Tottenham in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, 5th
of April 2011. Both teams have had different seasons in their domestic leagues thus far, but Tottenham’s European credentials seem skeptical at the moment, a factor which makes this matchup even more interesting than anticipated. Let us take a look at
how both of these outfits might line up against each other...
Real Madrid
With the La Liga title almost done in the Spanish Primera Division, Real Madrid must turn their focus to Tottenham in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night if they are to secure a place in the semi-finals of a tournament they have previously won nine
times. After losing their Spanish league match to Sporting Gijon on the weekend, Madrid are now eight points behind Barcelona in the title race. Mourinho’s nine year unbeaten home record also came to a grinding halt at Santiago Bernabéu on the past weekend.
Real made their way into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League following their impressive win over Lyon in the second leg of their round of sixteen encounter against the French giants. Real’s four goal rout of Lyon has now made them one of the
favourites to win the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, with just two tournaments to play for in realistic terms i.e. the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Del Ray, Madrid need to win in the first leg at Bernabéu before going to White Hart Lane for the
second leg in London, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham seem likely to crumble as the season enters its final stages in terms of both the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League. At the start of the season, Harry Redknapp touted his team up as one of the title challengers, but Spurs are
now struggling to make it to a fourth place finish to qualify for next year’s UEFA Champions League competition.
At the weekend, Tottenham drew against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium, and with several injury concerns, Harry Redknapp’s team will go into their matchup against Real Madrid as underdogs. Tottenham made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League
after defeating A.C Milan over the two rounds of sixteen legs in the first knockout stage of Europe’s premier competition. After winning in San Siro, Spurs held Milan to a draw at White Hart Lane to gain a place in the last eight teams of the UEFA Champions
League.
Team News
Real Madrid is set to make a late fitness decision on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350 is also a doubt for Los Blancos following his injury with
the French national team last week. Fortunately for Real, their star striker Gonzalo Higuain is fit to start for Jose Mourinho’s men after his run out at the weekend against Sporting Gijon.
Expected Real Madrid line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526, Gonzalo Higuain.
Tottenham’s manager Harry Redknapp told the media on Saturday night that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/William-Gallas-c36874 is sidelined for an indefinite period of time at the moment due to his groin troubles.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Pienaar-c34208 is also out of the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid due to his groin injury.
Expected Tottenham line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741
Key Players
Mesut Ozil will be Real Madrid’s main man in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. The German midfielder has been a constant hit with Madrid’s fans, ever since his arrival in the summer transfer window of 2010 from Werder Bremen. In the 2010-2011 UEFA Champions League,
Ozil has already assisted four goals for the men in white.
On the other hand, Peter Crouch will lead the offensive charge for Tottenham. The ex-Liverpool target-man has scored seven goals in his nine appearances for Spurs in the UEFA Champions League this season. He has also assisted two goals. It was Crouch’s goal
at San Siro which gave Tottenham the win in Italy before their goalless draw against Milan at White Hart Lane.
Prediction
Real Madrid will start the match as favourites despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Jose’s team is in a sparkling run of form in the UEFA Champions League. Alternatively, Tottenham’s main aim will be to capture a vital away goal in the first leg at
Santiago Bernabéu. Prediction: 2-1 to Real Madrid.
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