Preview: Tottenham vs Real Madrid

An hour after landing at Stansted, Jose Mourinho appeared in front of reporters at White Hart Lane, the stadium where will return the usual starting lineup of Real Madrid on today match. Marcelo Carvalho, Alonso, Özil, Cristiano and Adebayor, on the bench on Saturday in Bilbao, will return to the starting team against Tottenham. This was confirmed by the Portuguese coach, who refused to talk about the "classic" in the league against Barcelona, but threw a new warning, this time by the issue of forced cards: "Others have permission to do things that we can not do", he said.

Sergio Ramos and Angel Di Maria accumulate two yellow cards and one more will prevent them from playing the first leg of semifinals. This threat does not affect the possible Mourinho's team: "I'm not changing players thinking they have two yellow cards", the Portuguese commented, conscious of the importance of the match. "The result is very good, but not definitive. It will be a huge match, so we must respect the Spurs and football. We come to play a serious game, because the work is not done", Mourinho said and believes thta "Five goals will not be enough for Tottenham, because we're going to score".

Xabi Alonso and Mourinho at press conference

For Real Madrid, the mission at a packed White Hart Lane, is access to the semifinals, eight years after that tie against Juventus. And if it is possible with a good result, much better: "We will be the only undefeated team because today we add seven wins and two draws", recalled the coach. "Also, next year we will be seeded".

Mourinho does not want his foot off the accelerator nor look beyond London: "I'm not thinking in the classic on Saturday. The most important so far, is the game against Tottenham. After this match we will think about the match against Barcelona in the League and then the Spanish Cup", he said.

Xabi Alonso demanded a maximum level of concentration: "People here are tight and we can take a scare. The important thing is to have balance between defense and attack" said the former player of Liverpool, who admitted he felt sorry for Crouch after his red card a week ago at the Bernabeu: "While I felt for him, I was happy for us, because it influenced in the match. In fact, it changed the game".

The English team has been dreaming of such intensity that in the last training, tested the penalty shots. "Of course I believe in miracles, otherwise I would have given permission to my players to go shopping", said Harry Redknapp about the remote possibility that hisTottenham can eliminate Real Madrid this evening at White Hart Lane.

It is expected more from Tottenham after its poor play at the Bernabeu. It is also expected more of Sandro (the new Dunga) Modric (the young Cruyf) or Bale (the futuristic left side). Lennon will play at last. By the way, only three teams have overcome a such unfavorable result in European competition: Leixoes, Partizan and .. Real Madrid.