A new aspiration to rule in Europe

I still remember the quarter finals in 2011. At that time, Tottenham went to Madrid with a team full of young talent. Among those, Modric and Bale were, without doubt, the stars of the Lilywhites.

Unfortunately for them, the early goal scored by Adebayor and the red card showed to Peter Crouch were too many obstacles against a team managed by Mourinho. Even though Bale was close to scoring the equaliser, Real were clinical in front of Gomes, they ended the tie at the Bernabeu.

Since then, Tottenham have never done anything worthwhile in a European competition. On the other hand, the Spanish team has won three Champions League titles – including the last two.

Following these facts, and when the draw was done, a group integrated by the Spaniards and the English seemed hard enough for everybody. Especially with Borussia Dortmund also showing as a strong force among them. It was like a gamble where you needed the winner coupon code.

Nonetheless, the first victory Tottenham managed against the German opposition, plus the solid triumph of Madrid in Dortmund, left the yellow side close to elimination.

Thus, the two games between Zidane’s men and Pochettino’s were a battle for the top of the group. Although Dele Alli couldn’t play in Madrid, the huge display showed by Tottenham was fair to take a draw against the football kings of Europe.

During that game, players like Kane or Lloris were impressive, and the formation setup by Pochettino was highly praised among the media and football fans.

Therefore, and after another disappointing night for Dortmund in Chipre, where they didn’t get the victory, the group would be decided at Wembley.

Surprisingly, Real Madrid had never played in that stadium before, a place where, for example, Barcelona has twice reached the final.

Just three days before, the Spanish team went to Girona for the first time in its history. There, it didn´t really matter that the excellent Isco scored first, as the Catalans turned the match to finally get the victory.

Consequently, Madrid is now fourteen points behind Barcelona, and although the team lifted two cups last summer, against United and the current leaders of La Liga , they are looking exhausted and showing weakness in all positions of the team.

Anyway, the quick possibility of redemption in their favourite competition seemed like the best antidote for this “crisis”, as it has been reported in the Spanish media. But as happened in Girona, this new debut wasn’t precisely a dream. Indeed, Real started the match showing more passion than in Catalonia, but here, the opposition was much stronger.

Moreover, Dele Alli finished his period of sanction, and he had such a marvellous game that it gave even more credit to Tottenham the fact that they drew in the Spanish capital. Apart from him, Eriksen and Winks were outclassing Modric and Kross, possibly the two best midfielders in the last two years. Even the injury of Alderweireld didn’t hurt Spurs, and the recently recovered Kane drove Sergio Ramos crazy, one of the Blancos’ hero.

Summing up, it was one of these nights that raised the expectations for Tottenham supporters. Besides, they have earned their right to dream with bigger goals. “Definitely”, Kane said afterwards, when he was asked about the possibility of win the competition. Who could deny him?

As for Real, the last year they finished second in the group, they lifted the trophy for the twelfth time. Therefore and beyond any doubt, they will improve in the the second phase.

Will it be enough for them? Or maybe will it be a huge surprise for Spurs fans in the end?