Tottenham vs Real Madrid (1985): Amancio's scar

Like now, with the League almost lost, Real Madrid went to White Hart Lane on March 6, 1985, to contest the quarter-finals of the former UEFA Cup. The scoreboard: 0-1. Tottenham ahead of him, defending champion of the tournament. The same opponent with which will face today.

Real Madrid made the historic comeback against Anderlecht few days ago, but on "Buitre's gang" weighed the label "soft generation" that never came off. Amancio was the coach of Madrid and at White Hart Lane starred in a story that still remembers Ochotorena, goalkeeper of the team that began to emerg: "Before taking the field, Amancio showed us the scars of the severe innjury he suffered as player. He had done in a game we played with Castilla (Real Madrid B) in "Los Cármenes" Stadium (Granada), the same stadium where he was injured".

"Amancio could boast of a great curriculum as a player... and scars", recalls Angel, Madrid midfielder in those mid-eighties. Amancio, who claims not to remember the story, tried by his gesture that his younger players do not wrinkle in a complicated stadium that would test the competitiveness of the new generation trying to break through. His words after the game pointed to the epic: "When you talk on the field, when you struggle and fight, you have to win". The team played well. They spoke and help each other. In the previous, Amancio had been very critical of his players: "I want they think in football half than me". The phrase was a flurry to some of his players that attend the university, especially those of the "Quinta del Buitre".

Tottenham vs Real Madrid (1985)

When that confrontation was played, English football was in full continental hegemony, winning all and it was anticipated like a sharp match. Nobody wanted to cross with those teams that had a feverish pace, that mixed direct and contact soccer with the ability of the three or four more technical players. "Hoddle was its star. He was left handed and very technical. At that time were not frowned upon the individual markings and Amancio ordered me to pursue him. They made ​​a very direct football and vigorous. There was no cover to the forwards. There was to players who caused the goals assistances, like Hoddle who had a great left foot", says Angel.

In the days before the first leg, Valdano, who played without shin guards, had told his friend Ardiles, Tottenham player, that this time he would play with protections. "Finally, Ardiles did not play either game, but somehow he was one of the first players that began to change over to English football". Ardiles was very light and his presence in a very physical football raised doubts at first. "Although not involved, flew to Madrid for the second leg and said that he was able to win a ball in the air against Santillana. He touched his head and explained that football lives there".

In 1985, the Spurs had won some fame as innovator. It was the first European football institution listed in stock exchange and tried to distance themselves from the traditional kick and rush with the recruitment Ardiles and Villa. Real Madrid was also surprised by a detail when team left the stadium. "Suddenly we saw a beautiful white Rolls Royce. We were told that it was Rod Stewart's car. He had a private box because he was a big fan of Tottenham.in Spain the boxes appeared late" concludes Angel .

Mourinho: "A draw is not bad result"

"A draw at home in the first game is not bad result. A 1-1 is not bad. I do not say we are gonig to play for a draw. The Tottenham is what is required. Real Madrid has nine Champions titles". Mourinho wants to take pressure off the team and know how. With the problems that the Portuguese coach sees in the first game, he does not rule out going to White Hart Lane to gamble the tie.

"The Champions League is the most important competition. We do not have to look outside other motivations. It's a match too important to think about other things", said Mourinho. Portuguese spun in the press conference and saw Higuain at his side. Coach did not hesitate to ask player: "How many times do you have played quarterfinals?". "Never", said the Argentine. "He is thinking about the game, not at Sporting. See that a top player as Higuain has never played a quarterfinals", concluded Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho

"In the League we are second and in Champions I do not know what will happen. We can win or fall in this tie against Tottenham. When we play very well, we win. When we play well, almost always win. When we play bad, we never win. Others, when they play less well, always win. There remains the Spanish Cup final and I want to be on the bench so I will not say much more" said the Portuguese coach in reference to the arbitration of last weekend when Barcelona was clearly benefited.

Mourinho wants to put aside the League. Forget the defeat against Sporting. The Champions League is a different climate: "It is time to think about the Champions League because we play this competition. It is a match that many others want to play but not everyone can. A match that Madrid did not play for some years old neither sees the Bernabeu" said de Setúbal coach.

Tottenham knows Real Madrid perfectly, but especially a player: Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutch came to train with Mourinho but finally left the Spanish team for England: "I always want that players enjoy and he's doing now. What I can see is that he is a happy boy and a good player. He could also be a good player for us but took ​​his decision and we have Özil who is also good", Mourinho ended.

The Portuguese also had a message to Gareth Bale. The name sounds harder every time: "I was one of the first people who said he would be an excellent player. I said it when he was not yet known in European football. He is a great player but still young. Tottenham sells well and is not easy. It would be a lot of money and we already have Cristiano and Marcelo for those positions but it would be a good buy".

Preview: Real Madrid vs Tottenham

On 17 August, while Real Madrid negotiated the signing of Özil, Tottenham played in Bern its first qualifying match for the Champions League. Its rival, the Young Boys. Its future, dark: 3-0 at the break. Two goals by England team eased the situation. In the second leg, 4-0 in London and noted the particular feature of the team: half naive, half heroic.

At San Siro in the group stage against Inter, it happened again: 4-0 at the break. And the final 4-3 with hat-trick of Bale with his two last goals beyond 90 minutes. The English League has not been an exception. During its visit to Arsenal, Tottenham lost 2-0 after the first half, ended up winning 2-3, its first win in 17 years in the field of eternal rival.

What to think about this team? The thought is that there will not be amount of goals that will address the second part in peace. So no one would celebrate a scoreboard until the lights are turned off because Tottenham flourishes in the second parts. Thus Milan was defeated: Crouch's goal on 80 minutes.

For Real Madrid, there’s no greater motivation than qualifying for their first Champions League semifinal berth in eight years. The team knows it as do the fans: "We yearn for a Bernabeu that drives us to victory; don’t miss it", commented Arbeloa, who is more than familiar with the atmosphere that awaits. With tickets practically sold out and so much on the line, Madridistas are sure to turn out in full force in support of their team.

Real Madrid

Regarding today's game, the first battle is fought in sick. Bale and Gallas will pass a final test today and there is no doubt that they will approve. Like Cristiano and Marcelo, enrolled by decree. None is in good condition but it is expected all will play the game, like there's no second leg neither world beyond tomorrow.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka all worked overtime to be fit by Tuesday. Their speedy recoveries speak words of their desire to get in on the action. Only Gago, Benzema and Pedro Leon remain unavailable due to injury, while Albiol and Canales were left off the squad list based on a coaching decision.

Spurs have lost on all five previous occasions against Mourinho, but against Milan they proved they are more than capable of winning on the road. Despite not winning as visitors in the group stage, they did score a total of eight goals and along with Real Madrid Spurs currently lead the Champions League with 19 goals scored to date. With players likes Modric, Van der Vaart, Lennon, Bale, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko and Crouch, the Whites will have their hands full come Tuesday. 

Lennon, Bale and Van der Vaart

Combining Spurs’ offensive fire power with the added value of scoring as visitors, keeping a clean sheet will be crucial to Real Madrid’s chances. Mourinho’s men are well versed at not conceding goals in Champions League play and they hope to maintain their form against Tottenham. The players yearn for a "Bernabeu that drives them to victory" and the fans can almost smell the semifinals in the distance. Stick the two together under the same roof and they can make it happen.

Notes:

1. Now or never: Madrid will come out with everything except Benzema. Adebayor will be the '9'. Cristiano and Marcelo will play, prepared to risk for the "Tenth".

2. Playing with the brake: Cristiano, Pepe, Carvalho, Di Maria and Ramos are warned and if they receive a yellow card, will lost the second leg. Have to play with caution.

3. Tottenham: One of the best weapons of the 'spurs' are in the sides where Lennon and Bale will not let rivals breathe at high speed. More than ever, Real Madrid must protect the back.

Mourinho will play with Cristiano and Marcelo

Mourinho received good news yesterday; Cristiano and Marcelo are willing to force to play tomorrow against Tottenham. Neither have the medical discharge, but want to help the team and will risk a relapse. Who is practically ruled out is Benzema. French striker would also like to contribute with his "grain of sand", but his muscular contraction could result in breakage and that means three weeks off.

After Saturday's defeat, Mourinho hinted at the possibility of using the injured players in the game against the English team: "If Cristiano plays is because we are risking. The doctor says he will be prepared to play against Bilbao. Marcelo is out for two weeks and Benzema could play against Bilbao and in London. Maybe I will step over the medical department and then they will kill me...". Well, yesterday, Cristiano and Marcelo reported in Valdebebas they want to help the team against Tottenham and assume the consequences.

Cristiano and Marcelo

Mourinho has no choice. He has to risk because the League is lost and in April, are at stake the two major competitions for the white team: Champions League and Spanish Cup. Against Tottenham he must put the best eleven possible. Cristiano and Marcelo are essential to get options for the second leg in London. Portuguese for what he represents for the team... and the rival. Brazilian showed his verticality against Lyon, making the goal that opened the road to success.

Starter team will not have only news from Cristiano and Marcelo, but also with Xabi and Pepe. Spanish player did not play on Saturday because suspension and center defense because he was reserved for tomorrow. Both, will return against Tottenham. Another that will also start is Di Maria.The side midfielder requested the change against Sporting due to a huge blow in his left leg, but he is recovered. Higuain is not able to play as starter. The Argentine came back after four months out, but it is still early to play 90 minutes. Therefore, Adebayor will be in the starting lineup

Madrid and Tottenham: Top Scorers of Champions League

A glad team that also can run with Lennon and Bale on the wings. This is a good definition for Tottenham, able to take the ball and wait for the counter-attack. Something similar to what happens in Real Madrid (at least whit Xabi Alonso on the pitch). The two teams uses the same base system: a 4-2-3-1. The two sets are, in fact, the top scorers of the eight that are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League (19 goals scored). Guardiola's Barcelona has not achieved that record (18).

Real Madrid vs Tottenham

Presumably this will be the most attractive football playoff with no clear favorite. The UEFA official statistics also indicated that the two teams have almost the same possession per game: 56% for Madrid, 55% for Tottenham. Two sets of similar game, with Van der Vaart and Özil in the role of playmaker and explosive midfielders in the sides. But there is one thing that differentiates them. The quality of Mourinho's team makes it to reach the rival goal more clearly. Real Madrid has shot on target 67 times in eight games and Tottenham only 40. While turning over these statistics, could say that Tottenham is more effective: 2.1 shots needed to score a goal for the 3.5 of Madrid.

For its security defense, Madrid has received only three goals (only exceeded by Man. United with two conceded). In other way, Tottenham is the second worst in reliability defense (11 conceded, only better than Inter, with 14). And a stat calls attention: Madrid has committed 102 fouls by 110 of the English team. Then, it is difficult to explain that Mourinho's team has seen 20 yellow cards by only 9 the Tottenham.

League (Day 30): Higuain reactions

HIGUAIN: "WE ARE STILL ALIVE"

You came back after an injury, but have gone with a loss ...
It's a shame we lost today because we had a great chance to grow stronger in the fight for the League, but I believe that there is life while there is hope. This club has made comebacks in many leagues. It's hard, but we have to keep winning. We're still alive; you can never leave Real Madrid for dead.

How do you have felt?
I am very happy on a personal level. People believed I would miss the entire season, but I managed to show them statistics don't rule everything in life. It wasn't really a challenge or a competition I had with anyone, but I did want to feel the pride of coming back ahead of schedule. I managed to and I felt very comfortable on the pitch tonight.

The key to my recovery was fighting hard and not to bring myself down. I fought for what I most love, which is to play football. Wearing this shirt at this stadium again is the most beautiful thing there is. I am grateful to all the coaching staff, to the fans, to my team-mates, to my family and to myself. I'm very happy to feel like a footballer again, even if this wasn't the comeback I dreamt of.

Gonzalo Higuian

You look more strong ...
The truth is that I felt good. I tried to play quietly at first to not drown, but it was inevitable and I choked, because the urge to score a goal and help the team was great. Sporting's goal killed me and all my colleagues.

You had a very good chance to score but Juan Pablo saved the goal ...
I would have reached for the sky had I scored from the first chance I got. I wanted to make sure I shot right, but the ball went the wrong way. These things happen in football. I'm happy with my return because a spinal operation is not something to take lightly. To play again and feel like a player once more is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.

There is still the Champions League ...
We will have two very tough months ahead and hope that everything goes well.

Spanish League: Day 30

REAL MADRID 0 - SPORTING GIJON 1

If the conquest of the matches is a process, this Real Madrid lives a season focused on shortening the proceedings. Against Sporting maneuvers economy reached the peak. The fewer passes, the better. The less time is given the ball in midfield, the better. The longer the game is channeled on the sides, the better. If possible, always straight. Always in the same direction. Far from ensuring a big level of forcefulness, this simplification dragged Real Madrid to the failure. Bernabeu Stadium saw it and took a few minutes to express its mood. Whistles, rumors, silences. Is what inspires the team plan. Sporting, a team that is playing to stay in the category, with no resources to develop other ways, replied shutting in the box. Red and white team threw once into the net. It was goal.

Cases returned a ball-wall to De las Cuevas, who distanced himself in the middle of the area and fooled Casillas with the body while adjusting the shot at the near post. There was 10 minutes left to react. Too little for a team without a rudder, out of square by changes Mourinho introduced from minute 55.

Real Madrid 0 - Sporting Gijon 1

Mourinho never lost a home game since February 23, 2002 with Porto. More than nine years ago. This argument prompted the imagination of the strategists who planned his move to Madrid a year ago. They said: "A guy who takes so many games without losing at home, something must have!". Something, as opposed to nothing, represents anything. None of the qualities that players stand on Mourinho is closely related to the organization of the team around the possession of the ball. The coach has established principles, but lack the sophistication needed on days like yesterday. Against a rival that defends and hopes, Real Madrid has struggled. With or without Cristiano. The weightless opponents were almost always which have caused insurmountable difficulties in the League. Team that fought desperately as Sporting, Levante, Osasuna, Deportivo and Almeria.

Against Sporting, the plan was to protect Casillas with a line of four defenders highly unlikely to join the attack and two midfielders of great athletic ability, specializes in placing and retrieving. In the attack, Lass had order to initiate the moves looking for Özil ,Di Maria or Adebayor, in that order. In case of do not find a way out, go back to the defenses to proceed to throw a ball to Adebayor, who endured while Khedira went like a train on the hunt for rebounds and hanging balls. This Real Madrid never showed special care for the initiation of the game. Mourinho assumed that with a good defense and strikers, the matches would have resolved in the areas. He relied on the expertise of the players in solving problems in front of rival goal. He clung to an inspiration, a stroke of fortune.

To avoid risky transitions, Mourinho moved to Di Maria and Özil to the sides with one target: to receive, move and pass the ball to Adebayor. Granero was placed between the lines, too far from Lass to participate at the start and too far from the side midfielders. Granero and his colleagues were more than willing to comply with instructions, butthey lacked the initiative to find solutions that were not in the coach's manual. Above all, they lacked Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid came more genius after the break. Granero began to offer more to Özil and Di Maria,who left the sides. From that meeting, the team began to impose and have more occasions. In one of these, Di María forced Juan Pablo to stretch. For 10 minutes, the game of Madrid reached a point of consistency. Mourinho cut it off when removed Granero. Determined to preserve every brick of his wall, Mourinho kept Khedira and Lass, retired Arbeloa, played with Pepe and proceeded to form a three centrals defense. He must believe that Casillas's goal would be safe. The skinny De las Cuevas undertook to prove otherwise.

Doomed to a nervous breakdown during the quarter of an hour remaining, Madrid only improved acceleration and wear. At full thrust, Higuain and Adebayor were close to tie the game. But Juan Pablo stole them the glory with two stops that silenced Chamartín Stadium.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 77,000
Goals: 0-1, m.78: De las Cuevas