Real Madrid Away- Don’t Mention The Tension

In the AC Milan preview, we focused on the sheer improbability of our club dining with such European royalty at this, the toppest of top tables. Appearing in the fixture was a victory in itself, and one in the eye for those who told us we’d never finish fourth, written us off at every turn, and told us that each step was sure to be our last. Well guess what, here we are, and now THIS is happening.

The time for revelling is gone however, and we find ourselves at the business end of a competition where we’ve excelled and found new powers of resilience and discipline along the way, never before seen in my lifetime as a fan of the Totters. 5 games from ultimate victory and automatic Champions League qualification for next year if you want to put it like that. Given our domestic form, it almost appears to be the easier option.

What of our opponents? In the name of professionalism, I’ve actually made a point of watching a couple of Madrid games since the draw was made (what next?! personally researched statistics?!) and have to say I haven’t been blown away. In the Madrid derby a few weeks back, some suicidal stuff from Athletico at the back effectively killed the game early doors, and Saturday’s home defeat to Gijon, Mourinho's first in 9 years, was sloppy. One eye on the European Champions elect eh chaps? For a proper benchmark, look no further than Barcelona ripping them apart earlier in the season, which is what we should ultimately be aspiring to. Think the professionalism and discipline of AC away, mixed with a swarm of wasps being exposed to radioactive serum and anabolic steroids and you’ve got some idea of what will be required.

Or maybe not, maybe just a repeat of AC will be enough to keep this one alive for the return leg in 8 days time when we'll almost certainly have to win the home leg. Real are a team of great individuals, but despite his best efforts, it would appear that Mourinho hasn’t yet got them playing as the functional unit he would like. More stats in the shape of them losing 4 of their last 5 matches against English opposition, with the other being a draw, and no goals in the last 4 of said encounters. Also, let’s not forget that this is Real’s first quarter-final in a long time for a club of their pedigree (8 years maybe, think I heard that somewhere), so the expectation of their fans and board may just prove too much on this group of players. Go a goal down to lowly Hottenham Totspur at home and it could get pretty ugly in the Santiago Bernebau. Star man Ronaldo mirrors our own Gareth Bale in a will-he-won’t-he fitness race, but Benzema, the one player that stood out in that Madrid derby, will definitely be out. Higuain’s fit again for Madrid, the man that Jose built his attack around in the early part of the season, and Spurs bogey man Adebayor should feature.

It’s looking pretty bleak at the back for us, and as Gallas continues to struggle, the oft dim-witted Bassong is ready to step in. If I know Harry like I think I do, even if Gallas is given a 10% chance of making it, he and all his nous will be risked alongside our Daws for this one, usual suspects on either side and between the sticks. As for the midfield, this is where it gets tricky. We heard the ‘we’ve got to give it a go’ line before AC and proceeded to be the picture of restraint, and I can’t imagine we’ll be any different tonight. Losing Peanut will be a big blow to Harry, if not the fans, but I still don’t expect to see Bale AND Lennon starting. My prediction is that he’ll go with a Lennon-Modric-Sandro-Jenas midfield, with VdV dropping in when he’s not supporting Crouch, and have Bale and Krankie ready to change it if the plan isn’t working and we need to be a little braver.

They said we’d never get fourth. We did it.

They said we’d never qualify for the group stage. We did it.

They said we’d never qualify from our group. We did it.

They said we’d never beat AC Milan. We did it.

They say we’ll get beaten by Madrid.

Keep writing us off. Please.