Spurs went into last night’s game at the Lane intent on at least taking the game to Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter final, but there was never any real likelihood of Jose Mourinho’s side letting slip a four goal lead. The leap in class ultimately proved a step too far for a home side that had previously excelled in the group stages. Here’s the notes from last night’s events…
Goals Dry Up for Spurs
With an average of three goals per game, Harry Redknapp’s side were top scorers in the group stages but they have been found wanting in the last sixteen. Over the four matches against Milan and Real Madrid, Spurs found the net just once, though Madrid were always going to be a tough nut to crack; last night was their eight clean sheet of the competition. A top-class centre forward is something Spurs have lacked all season; their three forwards have scored just thirteen league goals between them this term.
With a game at home to Barcelona this Saturday, Madrid, in truth, never really extended themselves and were happy to contain a Spurs side that -despite a very attacking midfield line-up- were simply unable to find a way through.
Formation
With Peter Crouch suspended following his sending off in Spain last week, Roman Pavlyuchenko led the line in a 4-4-1-1 formation for the Londoners, with Rafael Van der Vaart in the hole behind.
On the hour mark, Redknapp changed the formation, sending on Jermain Defoe for Aaron Lennon, with Van der Vaart moving out to the right as the team resorted to 4-4-2. Madrid were simply too well-drilled for this move to make any impact and the victory saw Mourinho became the first coach to take four different teams into the Champions League Semi Finals.
Heurelho’s Howler
The Spurs keeper was guilty of yet another basic error last night, allowing a speculative long-range effort from Cristiano Ronaldo to somehow slip through his hands and find its way into the back of the net. Coming just five minutes into the second half, this killed off the slim hopes of a home crowd that done everything they could to be that vital “twelfth man” for Harry’s boys.
Barring a couple of dubious penalty shouts, there was not much for the Spurs supporters to celebrate, but their show of support was a fine acknowledgement of a European campaign that now leaves Man United the last English club left in this season’s competition.
Huddlestone Continues Comeback
Last weekend’s home win over Stoke saw Tom Huddlestone return to the Tottenham fold for the first time since gameweek 12 and the midfielder grabbed an assist in the 3-2 victory. Huddlestone was given another start last night, joining Luka Modric in the centre of midfield and lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Sandro.
Harry Wants More
With his first taste of Champions League football ending in the last eight, Harry Redknapp is already desperate to do it all again next season. The Spurs boss said after the game:
“It is no good doing it once and then not doing it again, we have to improve and be there next year too. You’ve seen the players we have to play at that level and we just need to tweak that squad so we can do it again. Much like Arsenal do, and Chelsea and Manchester United, that’s how they keep doing it. We have to finish above Man City and above Chelsea in the league, that is our aim – it is not going to be easy but that is what we want.”
A look at Spurs run in (ARS, WBA, che, BLP & mcy, liv, BIR) shows exactly what he means by “not easy”, with a North London derby and visits to three of the top six still to come before the end of the season.
