Last Night saw a Spurs side travel to the Bernabeu with hope and a nations support behind them in what was going to be an already up-hill task to progress past a sublime Real Madrid side. However, it was a night to forget as Real Madrid made easy work of a Tottenham side who frankly just couldn't cope. With Aaron Lennon out through a sore throat before the match, all pre-match preparations went out the window. It was a big blow, because it meant that the only player with any true pace in the side was Gareth Bale, who was rusty after not playing a lot of football recently due to injury.
Once the game was under way, Tottenham found themselves behind after five minutes through a header from Adebayor, and things got from bad to worse when Peter Crouch was shown a second yellow, and sent off after just fifteen minutes in. Now facing an impossible task, Harry Redknapp could only watch on as his side did their best to contain a Real Madrid side who now had total control. Things could of been very different though, there was a twenty minute period where Tottenham would of felt they could have snatched a goal. Bale, had a shot from a tight angle, Tottenham won a few free-kicks around the Madrid box where they could of done better, most notably Bale directing a header wide. And Bale again was centre stage, as his long throw found Rafael Van Der Vaart, but the attacking midfielder could not get his shot in as Carvalho, now the defensive rock of Real Madrid and not Chelsea, put in a great last ditch tackle to stop Rafael getting in his shot away. At half time, Redknapp must of been a happy chappy as his team were only 1-0 down and offering a small threat going forward. But 10 men were always going to tire, and it proved with Real eventually running out as 4-0 winners.
After the game, Harry stated that's it never over until its over, and although Spurs have been impressive this season at home, to score four past a talented Real team will mean a performance that would go down in history. Unfortunately, for me, I just don't see it. But good luck to them, they have enjoyed their European adventure so far, and optimistic fans will tell you they are still in this. However, for me its going to be a El Classico semi-final by the looks of things.
And to tonight, what are Chelsea and Man Utd's chances. Well, they come face to face in what will be an entertaining counter. With the second leg being played at Old Trafford Man Utd have the upper hand, but Chelsea want this trophy so badly, and if its a case of who wants it more, Chelsea will prevail. Both teams have quality so I wouldn't like to say how this one will end up, but one thing is for sure, their will be English representatives in the Champions League semi final.
Thats all for now, don't forget to check the tipster corner for this weekends games.
