SANDRO’S BIG RESPONSIBILITY
The Brazilian was excellent against AC Milan but Real’s midfield is far more mobile and energetic, so his task will be far harder tomorrow. With Mesut Özil, Ángel Di María and Sami Khedira, Real have pace and dynamism, as well as the guile of Xabi Alonso. Protecting a weakened back four is a tall order.
PETER CROUCH v PEPE
The striker is a key man for Tottenham in European games because defences are not used to him. Ricardo Carvalho knows him, though, so Crouch should aim to take on Pepe, the weaker of the two centre backs. Loose of his marker, Crouch is a reliable finisher, as well as being capable of providing knock-downs for Rafael van der Vaart, the former Real midfield player.
TOTTENHAM’S WEAK HEART
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Without William Gallas, Spurs are vulnerable at centre back. Michael Dawson is solid but Sébastien Bassong, while a great athlete, is not streetwise. He’s liable to make errors and Özil and Di María can be hard to track because they arrive in dangerous areas at the last moment. Real’s movement on the edge of the box could be too clever.
MOURINHO’S MASTERY
Real lost at home on Saturday but they are focused on European success. No one knows how to deliver that better than José Mourinho, who is brilliant at adapting tactics within matches and from game to game.
HANGING ON
If Tottenham concede early, I fear they could go on to be demolished. Facing Real at the Bernabéu will be physically and mentally exhausting. But all-out defence will not work; Spurs must attack more than Arsenal did at the Nou Camp and look for Aaron Lennon as an out ball.