Are we on the road to greater things now?

Real Madrid 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

what a day, what an exceptional evening. The day started off great. I arrived in Madrid the day before, did a bit of sightseeing and then I went to watch the players train. I must say confidence was high and they - being the players and manager - were very confident. I had a great view, so all I had to do was settle down and wait.

The Bernabeu stadium is a great stadium. Holding over 80,000 screaming and cheering fans. I've been many times before and just to sit and take it in was a very good experience and joy. some of the greatest days had played for Real Madrid and their history in Europe is second to none. 

Tottenham's starting line up surprised everybody. Spurs went with a 4-4-2 formation with Fernando Llorente up front with Kane. 

Right from the start Real Madrid tried to dominate the game. In fact, the first 15 minutes was all there's. But no matter how much they tried they just couldn't get the goal they wanted. 

Twenty-minutes in and Kane showed what he was worth. He was racing everywhere. He showed excellent strength and skill to beat his shadows. As they game drew on we grew in confidence and found success attacking down their right flank.

Marcelo did not have a good game. Sissoko and Aurier constantly beat him with sheer speed and strength. The Brazilian did not have his usual midfield cover from Kroos and Casemiro. Kroos was battling it out with Harry Winks who was impressive in possession and seemed to break Madrid’s midfield line with one pass on many occasions. Casemiro was busy helping Varane and Ramos with Llorente and Kane. Near the magic hour Kane set himself up in attack and opening the scoring for us. Winks played Serge Aurier through past Marcelo and Kroos with one pass and the Ivorian pushed a low near-post cross, the ever-present weakness for Madrid’s defence this season. Harry Kane beat out Varane to the cross. Kane followed his run with a heel flick which bounced off Varane and into the back of the net. Our hard work brought the first goal and the Real fans went quiet. But not our fans. You could hear them around the stadium. The same battle cry one could hear at the now defunct White Hart Lane.

Fans and players like new something special were going to happen. They/ we fancied our chances and knew that what Pochettino had drilled into them could be put into fruition. 

Vertonghen is no pushover of a defender and is physically imposing especially against Achraf, Achraf had some success beating the Belgian or earning some corners, but his crossing was poor. Madrid had plenty of opportunities from set pieces and corner kicks, but their aerial success was very poor. We dominated in the air and overall imposed ourself will on the home side. 

In the 41^st minute, a beautiful interchange between Isco, Modric, Benzema, and Kroos earned a penalty kick after Serge Aurier slid in to stop Kroos from scoring; alas it bad challenge and a penalty followed. Our heads wherein our hands. But Ronaldo stepped up to the spot and scored. The Real fans went mad and jump up and down like possessed demons.

 

As Madrid lost control and the pace quickened, the goalkeepers became the heroes. Keylor had a huge save on Harry Kane who found himself clean through after a Loris goal kick was flicked through by Llorente. Two quick minutes later, it would be Keylor again who made himself big and cut off Christian Eriksen’s angle to save his 1v1. Despite Madrid’s dominance for much of the game, the whites looked to be tiring rather than Spurs. Tottenham found holes in the last fifteen and Madrid failed to threaten. Asensio came on for Benzema in the 75^th minute, but it may have been a substitution that needed to come sooner. Isco was tiring as well and a Ceballos sub could have made a massive difference in this type of match to help regain control.

Real fought hard for the second goal, but the team and lloris defended well. with some spectacular saves. But then Real looked like they had lost control and the pace  quickened and if it wasn't for both goalkeepers things might have ended up differently. Kane who found himself clean through after a Loris goal kick was flicked through by Llorente. Two minutes later, and Keylor again made himself available and cut off Christian Eriksen’s angle to save keep the score line 1-1. Despite Madrid’s dominance for much of the game they looked like tiring, rather than Pochettino's magnificent hero's. We found holes in their defence the last fifteen and Madrid failed to threaten. Asensio came on for Benzema in the 75^th minute. Isco was tiring as well and a Ceballos sub could have made a massive difference, but alas nothing changed (thankfully). 

So-overall it was an excellent result, evens though we could have nicked it. We are at the top of the table on goal difference and ready and waiting for the return leg. After this performance, we fear no-one. Either in the league or any cup competition. We can stand proud. Not only that but the fans did the team and us proud with their vocal support. We stood tall and will stand tall over all oppositions. We are Spurs from the Lane.

Now we move onto the league this Sunday and race Liverpool. Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur.

Yours Truly, Don Scully

Photos curtsey of Totteneham Hotspur supporters' voice Facebook page.