Sadly this could be true for all London fans. But when the initial draw was called out did anyone imagine that Spurs would go so far. If someone did he would be a mighty genius. But right now Tottenham's dream of playing in the European Championship seems to be over unless they pull off something extraordinary to overcome the 4 goal deficit when the face Real Madrid at White Hart Lane.
English football always had 4 regulars for Europe in Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool for quite a few years now. But with Liverpool's decline Spurs upped their game to clinch 4th spot and eventually qualify to the main stage with a win over Swiss minnows 'Young Boys'. It didn't look good when they drew their 1st game against Werder Bremen and then were 4 goals down against Inter Milan in the first 35 minutes. But one 'Superman' by the name Gareth Bale showed the world what he and his team could do by scoring 3 goals in the 2nd half and bring the deficit to one goal. A defeat ultimately, but was for the good as Inter didn't stand any chance against Spurs when they travelled to White Hart lane and eventually Spurs topped the group which was considered to be a tricky one. Round of 16 couldn't get more spicier with a draw against Inter's bitter rivals AC Milan. Harry Redknapp's men showed grit, courage and smartness to overcome 7 time European champions over the two legs to set up a tie with 9 times European Champions Real Madrid.
Spurs at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid were expected to show a great deal of character but were torn apart by Mourinho's men in white. At no point in time did Spurs show the persistance and commitment they displayed in the earlier games. Peter Crouch did no favours to himself and his team by getting sent off in just the 15th minute for a 2nd bookable offence leaving his team with no chance to fight. Real Madrid grew in confidence after reaching their first quarter final in 7 years. For a team of such great tradition to not be in reckoning at the decisive moments of the championship for so long has been a shame and they would have been relieved after scoring 4 on the night and denting Spurs' chance of progressing.
All is not lost for Tottenham if they can play out of their skins to overcome the 4 goal deficit. However it is easier said than done. Real Madrid wouldn't want to miss out an oppurtunity to meet their Spanish rivals in the semis and a chance to go on and win the title. Can Redknapp bring out the genius in him against a team of great players? Or will 'The Special One' have the last laugh. The answer isn't far away.
The mood at the Veltins-Arena, Schalke's homeground will be quite different compared to the one at the Benabeu. Schalke after going down a goal in the very 1st minute came back to score 5, catching the defending champions off beat. The 2nd leg is not going to get easy for Inter and if they have to be given a chance to defend their title they have to play out of their skins. Considering they have Etoo, Milito, Sneijder in their ranks they can still consider to be in the hunt but they surely have a mountain to climb. If they can do that it would be one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of the championship taking them ahead to a mouth watering clash against ManU. 90 minutes for Schalke to hold on and 90 minutes for Inter to force a comeback and defend their title. In the end it sure is gonna be happy 90 minutes only for one of them.
The mood at the Veltins-Arena, Schalke's homeground will be quite different compared to the one at the Benabeu. Schalke after going down a goal in the very 1st minute came back to score 5, catching the defending champions off beat. The 2nd leg is not going to get easy for Inter and if they have to be given a chance to defend their title they have to play out of their skins. Considering they have Etoo, Milito, Sneijder in their ranks they can still consider to be in the hunt but they surely have a mountain to climb. If they can do that it would be one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of the championship taking them ahead to a mouth watering clash against ManU. 90 minutes for Schalke to hold on and 90 minutes for Inter to force a comeback and defend their title. In the end it sure is gonna be happy 90 minutes only for one of them.
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