Real Madrid are all set to face Tottenham in a crunch game of Champions League today (Tuesday).
Both teams are currently tied atop the group, and whoever grabs points this game will maintain control of the group for at least a couple of weeks, until these two play again in London.
Both teams dominated against APOEL and Borussia Dortmund, and each having identical goals conceded and scored.
They’ve been twins so far, and this doesn’t feel like a game that ends in a draw. Both Tottenham and Real Madrid have plenty of goals in them.
Zidane’s Madrid have a chance to show up big in another huge game and shut down the ‘up and coming’ Tottenham.
On the opposing side, Tottenham have a chance to make a big European statement of intent. After beating Dortmund, Spurs have a shot to take control of Group H, and prove to themselves they can compete with the European elite on a given night.
The result may not matter as much as Tottenham proving go themselves and Europe that they can compete with the best in the world.
Tottenham last travelled to Madrid in 2011 in the Champions League quarterfinals. They lost 5-0 on aggregate and were outclassed from the moment they stepped on the pitch. For this to be different, they’ll need to maintain composure that they didn’t have in 2011.
Real Madrid have a real chance to shut that possibility down. They’re always up for big Champions League games and getting healthier as the season goes.
The key absences for Real Madrid will be Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal, and Mateo Kovacic. But they got help with the return of Karim Benzema over the weekend and Marcelo should get the start.
