Liam Emerson
Sport News 24/7Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur preview
By Liam Emerson, on 5th April 2011, 10:44 UTC
It's the team with the most European Cup medals against the Champions League rookies.
It's the team managed by a multi-million pound Hollywood manager who has won the tournament twice with two different clubs, against a manager famous for locking Amdy Faye in his house in an effort to sign him.
When Tottenham qualified for the Champions League through Peter Crouch's winning goal at Manchester City last season, it was games like tonights at the Bernabeu that Spurs fans hoped for. Despite topping the group stages, beating Inter superbly at home on the way, and coming through a two legged game against AC Milan without conceding a goal, Spurs will be the underdogs tonight.
"We are the big underdogs," manager Harry Redknapp said. "I've said all along that the two Spanish teams are the favourites. But we are not just coming here to turn up. The dream is still there for us all and we want to make that dream come true. We want to go all the way."
This is the first time in seven years that Real Madrid have reached the quarter-final stage of the Champions League and on Saturday manager Jose Mourinho lost his nine year record of being undefeated in home games, stretching back to 2002 when he was manager of Porto. But Madrid will be the heavy favourites and are boosted by the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Marcelo and Kaka in the squad to face Spurs.
Spurs own injury worries means they may only field six substitutes. All eyes will be on Gareth Bale, who has lit up the European stage and announced himself to the world by ripping apart Brazilian right back Maicon in the two games against Inter. But if Spurs can leave the Bernabeu with a good result, few would bet against them at White Hart Lane. If Madrid turn in a similar performance to some domestically, where they scored eight without reply against Levante and seven against Malaga, Spurs' dream tie will quickly become a nightmare.
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