chrissivad
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- May 20, 2005
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Real Madrid Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Uefa Champions League
Venue: Bernabeu Stadium Date: Tuesday, 5 April Kick-off: Time 1945 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, full coverage on the BBC Sport website and live on Sky Sports 2
Uefa Champions League
Venue: Bernabeu Stadium Date: Tuesday, 5 April Kick-off: Time 1945 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, full coverage on the BBC Sport website and live on Sky Sports 2
For more on live coverage please visit Geez's Live Media Thread
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Spurs travel to Bernabeu for first leg of quarter-final
Tottenham's fairytale UEFA Champions League campaign continues as the Santiago Bernabeu provides the setting for one of the biggest nights in their history.
Spurs have scripted a remarkable story on their maiden voyage in Europe's premier club competition, having defied the odds just to finish fourth in the Premier League last season.
An early exit loomed large after falling 3-0 behind to Young Boys in the play-off round way back in August, but from that moment on there have been considerably more highs than lows on a rollercoaster ride for supporters.
Having finished above Inter Milan, FC Twente and Werder Bremen in the group phase, Spurs overcame AC Milan 1-0 on aggregate in the last 16.
The draw for the quarter-finals pitted Tottenham against the mighty Real Madrid but, despite being underdogs, Harry Redknapp has taken his men to the Spanish capital with no fear.
Peter Crouch's away goal at the San Siro proved decisive in the previous round and Spurs will be aiming for similar heroics in Tuesday's first leg at the Bernabeu.
Recent form suggests victory is unlikely, with Tottenham having not won since that famous night in Italy and failed to score in virtually a month.
Some observers have argued that they are running out of steam after such an exhausting campaign, with injuries taking their toll on Redknapp's squad and those players that remain fit struggling for freshness.
Tottenham's bid for a second straight top-four finish has certainly suffered a setback, following back-to-back goalless draws in the Premier League.
A more optimistic outlook, however, would be to consider the three consecutive clean sheets Spurs have kept as an encouraging sign going into such a tough away game.
Bale boost
If the Londoners can shut out Real it would give them a massive opportunity to finish the job in front of their own fans at White Hart Lane in the return leg next Wednesday.
The biggest boost ahead of kick-off is Gareth Bale's availability, the Welsh winger having returned to fitness after picking up a hamstring strain during the international break.
Bale has shown already this season, most memorably in the two clashes with Inter, that he has the ability to terrorise even the best defences on the continent and it is no surprise that Redknapp has moved quickly to play down talk of a mega-money move abroad.
One player to have recently signed a contract extension with the club, William Gallas, is also back in contention to face Real following a hamstring injury of his own.
Redknapp's injury crisis remains so severe that he may only be able to name six substitutes rather than seven, with Steven Pienaar, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Younes Kaboul all sidelined and Niko Kranjcar struggling with a foot problem.
The starting XI is likely to be full-strength, though, with Rafael van der Vaart set to line up against his former club in a supporting role behind Crouch.
Aaron Lennon and Bale are expected to be joined in midfield by Luka Modric and Sandro, with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes shielded by a back four of Vedran Corluka, Gallas, Michael Dawson and Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
SC Team Prediction:
Real news
Tottenham's spirits may also have been lifted by the fact that Real Madrid suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Sporting Gijon on Saturday, a first home league defeat in more than nine years for manager Jose Mourinho.
Real's record at the Bernabeu has otherwise been exemplary, and the Champions League will definitely be Mourinho's priority now after admitting the Primera Liga title is slipping out of reach.
Los Blancos have won all four of their European home games this season without conceding a goal, having swept aside Lyon 3-0 in the previous round following a 1-1 draw in France.
While Tottenham are boosted by having Bale back, Mourinho will also be able to call on his own star man after Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the Real squad.
The Portugal international missed the defeat to Sporting Gijon with a hamstring injury and had been expected to sit out the visit of Tottenham, but he came through training unscathed on Monday and Mourinho is set to take what he admits is a risk.
Gonzalo Higuain has also been included in the squad after making a successful return from back surgery at the weekend.
Marcelo (bruised rib) trained on Monday, and though Angel di María did not, the winger has been included in the squad along with Kaka (knee).
However, Karim Benzema is missing after the striker picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with France last week.
Midfield duo Fernando Gago and Pedro Leon are also unavailable through injury, while Raul Albiol and Sergio Canales have been left out of the squad.
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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says his side are not under any pressure ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie with Real Madrid.
Tournament debutants Spurs travel to Spain for Tuesday's first leg against the nine-time European champions.
"I don't feel pressure. No-one expected us to be here at here at the start of the season and we have a big chance of winning," said Redknapp.
"We're not just coming here to turn up, we want to keep progressing."
So far Tottenham have enjoyed a dream first season in Europe's elite competition, coming top of their group which included holders Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and FC Twente, and then knocking out AC Milan without conceding a goal over two legs.
And with the prospect of this year's final taking place in London at Wembley, Redknapp said there was no reason to think that their run could not continue.
"The dream is still there for us, we have to make that dream come true," he added.
"We want to go all the way if we can. We know how difficult it's going to be but there is still a chance and we have to take it."
Spurs come into the game on a run of three consecutive 0-0 draws and realise they must raise their game against Jose Mourinho's outfit.
But on Saturday Madrid suffered a setback in their preparations for the game as they lost at home in the league to Sporting Gijon, a result which ended Mourinho's nine-year, 150-game unbeaten record in league home matches, a run which stretched across his times at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real.
Winger Gareth Bale has arguably been the stand-out player of Spurs' European campaign and Redknapp said he hoped the Welshman would recover from his recent hamstring injury in time to play on Tuesday.
"Let's hope he has no problems and, if he is OK, he will play," he said.
Midfielder Niko Kranjcar is struggling with a foot injury suffered in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Wigan but it is Bale - who has completed just three Premier League games this year - who is the biggest of Tottenham's many injury worries.
The defence is particularly badly affected, with Alan Hutton likely to miss the rest of the season because of knee surgery while Ledley King, Younes Kaboul and Jonathan Woodgate are all out.
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"Steven Pienaar didn't travel. He has a groin injury," added Redknapp. "Niko is struggling with a foot injury. He kicked the bottom of someone's boot on Saturday against Wigan. It is badly bruised and swollen.
"In fact, at the moment we might have six subs on the bench instead of seven."
Mourinho also has to make a couple of key selection decisions, with winger Cristiano Ronaldo, striker Karim Benzema and left-back Marcelo all injury concerns.
Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain, who has been sidelined since November with a back injury, made an unexpected return to first-team action on Saturday and is expected to be involved on Tuesday.
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