Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur live streaming soccer broadcast online gamecast ESPN 360 feed champions league April 05, 2011

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur live streaming soccer broadcast online gamecast ESPN 360 feed champions league April 05, 2011Tottenham Hotspur may be Champions League debutants and underdogs going into this quarter-final first leg clash but European heavy-weights Real Madrid are certainly showing signs of the jitters with manager Jose Mourinho flipping his switch to full-on mind-game mode ahead of Tuesday night's clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Prior to last weekend's round of La Liga action, Mourinho claimed that Saturday's match against relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon was more important than the meeting with Spurs as a loss would rule Real out of the title race. Having placed so much emphasis on the match it must have been particularly galling to watch Los Blancos slip to a 1-0 defeat and end Mourinho's nine-year home unbeaten run that spanned stints at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

In the build up to Tuesday's game, the self-styled Special One also claimed that leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, in form striker Karim Benzema and Brazilian full-back Marcelo would all be sidelined against Spurs but Spanish newspaper Marca, Real's unofficial mouthpie

Champions League
18:45 GMT, April 5, 2011
Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
 

Competition Stats
    Real Madrid     Tottenham Hotspur
Goals     Karim Benzema 6     Peter Crouch 4
Assists     Mesut Özil 5    
Yellows     Cristiano Ronaldo 2     Jermaine Jenas 3
Reds     Sergio Ramos 1     Rafael Van der Vaart 1
Next Matches
Real Madrid     Tottenham Hotspur
4/5     H: Tottenham Hotspur     4/5     A: Real Madrid
4/13     A: Tottenham Hotspur     4/13     H: Real Madrid
WATCH Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur  LIVE
Tottenham Hotspur may be Champions League debutants and underdogs going into this quarter-final first leg clash but European heavy-weights Real Madrid are certainly showing signs of the jitters with manager Jose Mourinho flipping his switch to full-on mind-game mode ahead of Tuesday night's clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Prior to last weekend's round of La Liga action, Mourinho claimed that Saturday's match against relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon was more important than the meeting with Spurs as a loss would rule Real out of the title race. Having placed so much emphasis on the match it must have been particularly galling to watch Los Blancos slip to a 1-0 defeat and end Mourinho's nine-year home unbeaten run that spanned stints at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

In the build up to Tuesday's game, the self-styled Special One also claimed that leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, in form striker Karim Benzema and Brazilian full-back Marcelo would all be sidelined against Spurs but Spanish newspaper Marca, Real's unofficial mouthpiece, said differently. As did Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who when asked about Mourinho's comments answered: "Is that what he said? We'll have to see." It seems Redknapp was right to be sceptical as Marca claim that both Ronaldo and Marcelo will start for Madrid.

And with the untimely defeat to Gijon all but ending Real's La Liga title hopes - no Spanish team has ever come back from down eight points down with eight matches to go under the current format - Mourinho surprisingly proclaimed that he would be happy to take a 0-0 draw against Tottenham at the Bernabeu. "Against Spurs it would be a good result - or at least it would not be a drama, especially if we have injured players back for the decisive game in London," Mourinho said.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have injury worries of their own and go into the clash without only two fit centre-backs. Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Younes Kaboul are all out and there are major fitness doubts over William Gallas, who broke down in training and missed Saturday's hugely disappointing 0-0 draw against Premier League bottom-feeders Wigan. With right-back Alan Hutton ruled out for the season and Tom Huddleston a major doubt, Redknapp's defensive options are particularly threadbare.

The good news for Spurs is that Welsh winger Gareth Bale, who has proven indispensable during their European campaign, should be fit to start after being rested against Wigan due to a hamstring scare. The 21-year-old is expected to take his place alongside attacking midfield partners Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon, with defensive midfielder Sandro shielding the back four.

New-boys Tottenham head into the quarter-finals under no pressure and buoyed by results against European giants Inter Milan and AC Milan, while Real, who surprisingly have not reached this stage of the competition for seven years, must bare all the weight of expectation. However, Mourinho won the competition with Inter Milan last year and wants to make it three wins with three different teams.

Real Madrid player to watch - Xabi Alonso: The Spanish playmaker was suspended for the weekend defeat against Sporting Gijon. He was missed but returns fresh and raring to go against Spurs. Not only does the classy midfielder orchestrate Madrid's attacks from deep and keep the side ticking over, he is also Mourinho's voice on the pitch and can often be seen conferring with his boss on the touchline. The former Liverpool player faced Tottenham on numerous occasion during his time in the Premier League - losing only once in seven matches - and will provide a vital platform for Real's more glamorous attacking stars.

Tottenham player to watch - Rafael Van Der Vaart: Cut loose by Real Madrid on transfer deadline this summer the Dutch international will have a point to prove against his former employers. He never really got started at the Bernabeu but since joining Tottenham he has proved to be a bargain buy at just £8 million, scoring 10 goals in the Premier League and two in Europe. Playing in an advanced position, he usually operates just off 6' 7" striker Peter Crouch and his link up with the big target man will be key to Tottenham's hopes in Madrid.

Key Battle - Sergio Ramos v Gareth Bale: Since being converted from a full-back into a flying winger, Gareth Bale's rise has been meteoric. Once just a quiz question - he played a record 24 Premier League games for Tottenham without being on the winning side - he is now on Real Madrid's wanted list. Bale is supremely efficient rather than dazzlingly skilful but his pinpoint crosses and blistering pace have embarrassed some of the best defenders in the world and, after watching Bale embarrass Brazil full-back Maicon against Inter Milan, Ramos knows he faces a real test of his talent. But the Spain defender will pose an equally significant test for Bale. Ramos has stifled some of the best wingers in the world en-route to Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 winners' medals and is one of the best in the business.

Trivia: Tottenham met Real Madrid in the 1984-85UEFA Cup with the Spanish side progressing 1-0 on aggregate.

Stat: Jose Mourinho has won all five previous meetings against Harry Redknapp.

Odds: Real Madrid (1.40), the draw (4.50) and Tottenham (8.50) are all available at Bet365. Angel Di Maria to score first in a 2-1 Real win offers odds of 46.00.

Prediction: Real are a vastly improved team in the Champions League under Jose Mourinho and, despite a few absentees, they should prove too strong for Tottenham, who have struggled to score in recent weeks.

0 comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...