I expect Tottenham's
Champions League tie with Real Madrid to be fairly even.
For me, each side has
a 50 per cent chance of winning the game, even if Real Madrid have a little bit
of a head start.
Madrid are the more
accomplished of the teams and their players have a lot of experience in European
competition.
For the first time in seven
years Madrid have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, yet
for Jose Mourinho and his team that won't be enough - they want to go on and win
the competition.
Madrid have greatly
improved in terms of their tactics and attitude this season, and they are definitely
one of the contenders for the final at Wembley.
Nevertheless, the
Spurs will have a say in this tie. That they qualified for the quarter-finals doesn't
surprise me in the slightest.
I'm well acquainted
with this team; technically, their players have a great potential and the speed
of their play is one of their main assets: they have the ability to quickly
turn defence into attack once they get back the ball.
Spurs clearly have the
potential to trouble any team left in this competition, especially since they have
been playing better football in the Champions League than in domestic
competition.
And, of course, they
can call on the talents of Rafael van der Vaart, their most creative player.
The Dutch maestro is an
extremely clever player with a wealth of skills at his disposal. He is the conductor
of this Tottenham side and with his magical left foot he is able to unlock even
the most stubborn of defences with his assists and goals.
Moreover, Spurs play
the second leg at home at White Hart Lane which has to be a big advantage;
that's why they can definitely spring a surprise against Madrid.