The Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) game was a thriller. Was it some stage fright for Spurs? Can't really tell, but then their star players have been struggling with injuries.
Ade (Emmanuel Adebayor) was having a terrafic time infront of goal for Real Madrid. Two classy and flawless headers were good enough to put stamp on his name as one of the best strikers in the world. Ade's physique and height proved too difficult for the likes of Michael Dawson and William Gallas to deal with. He dented Spurs hopes with a 5 minute header and afterwards things started falling apart in the Spurs camp.
Peter Crouch had a nightmare last night. I guess the frustrations were beginning to show. His tackle on Marcelo was really uncalled for. A red card at that stage of the game really proved to be a crack on Spurs' hopes of making it to the semis. Things like that happen in football though, and Crouch can be forgiven for it.
No one knows what Harry Redknapp was really thinking as like usual he is unpredictable. He played Rafael Van der Waart in support of Peter Crouch, a combination that has proved futile for the team. The introduction of Jermaine Defoe in the 2nd half was more influential and direct. He held the balls and seemed to have a bit of a positive effect on the game.
Christiano Ronaldo played a superb game for Madrid. One could tell that he was still struggling with injury, but then he capped a perfect performance with a stunning goal. Jose Mourinho should be grinning now because chances of Spurs emulating the heroics of Madrid at White Hart Lane are very slim.
Maybe Redknapp needs to relook at his team and start making a few changes starting with Benoit Assou-Ekotto. His passes were wayward and always attempted playing long balls instead of short passing which is rather more effective. I have watched Assou-Ekotto play and he doesn't really form any dangerous combinations with those playing with him. He rarely uses his head and dropping him from the team would really help out Spurs.
Angel Di Maria's goal was a superb goal, definitely goal of the match. Madrid had the quality to pull it off, Spurs does have quality but then one wonders if its enough to score 05 goals at White Hart Lane.
By Mzansisoka Mashigo
