Real Madrid v Tottenham – Key Battles: UEFA Champions League - Part 2
After shedding some light on Gareth Bale’s possible faceoff against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Ramos-c33096 in the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup, it is now time to pay some attention to Peter Crouch’s battle against Ricardo Carvalho on 5th of April, 2011 at the
Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Peter Crouch vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ricardo-Carvalho-c30973
In Spanish football, strikers such as Peter Crouch will be frowned upon and thought of as extinct species, whereas in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, Crouch is hailed as a genuine goal scorer and a striker upon which teams can be built. This, in essence, showcases two different
approaches to football in two different European leagues. Whilst the Spanish league emphasizes technique and vision, the English game goes with a different ideology, a philosophy that is centered on physique and pace.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741 is expected to lead the offensive line for Tottenham when Harry Redknapp’s team takes the field against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Crouch has seldom showcased any special talents during his career as a professional footballer. The Englishman
is slow and his lack of pace means that he is not what one would call a versatile footballer. However, one thing that the ex-Portsmouth man does possess is a frame which mirrors that of Andre the giant, minus all the muscle. A traditional target-man, Crouch
is an expert in holding the ball up and getting his team mates involved. In a side such as Tottenham, Crouch’s role is two-fold.
Not only does the striker add a different dimension to Redknapp’s team as he compliments the much smaller and speedy striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062 who play down the wings for the
London outfit. Crouch has shown this season that is he is suited to European football. In his eight appearances in the UEFA Champions League for Hotspurs, Peter has assisted three and scored four goals.
Furthermore, a war of words has broken out between Crouch and Carvalho. Both C’s have faced each other before when Carvalho used to play for Chelsea in the English Premier League. Real Madrid’s Portuguese center back has already stated that Peter Crouch
is not “fast” on the ground. In reply, Crouch has pointed towards his two triumphs over Ricardo Carvalho’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 in the F.A Cup as well as the
UEFA Champions League.
Carvalho might be a wonderful defender on the ground when it comes to dealing with tricky strikers but against taller opponents such as Peter Crouch, the Portuguese defender struggles as he lacks the height and the physique to match up against Peter’s tall
frame. One can be sure that Tottenham will aim for Crouch’s head when they play Real on Tuesday night.
Lennon’s crosses and Bale’s whipping in passes will be played with Crouch in the cross chairs. However, if Carvalho can keep the Englishman quiet then, Real have a very good chance of keeping a clean sheet. If not then, one can be sure that Tottenham will
score an away goal, a goal that might make them the favourites when both teams meet at White Hart Lane in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Tags: