Tottenham Hotspur will host a very buoyant Real Madrid side tonight in a match that ultimately seems like the focal point in their imposing season so far. Having lost 4-0 in the first leg at the Bernebeu last week, this engagement at White Hart Lane merely seems to many as a consolation match for Spurs to salvage some pride ahead of their on-going battle for European spots in the Premier League.
Per contra, spirit seems to be at a peak point in the dressing room at Spurs and players have already signaled their intent to be firing at all cylinders when Mourinho's men take them on later tonight. But the only debate is, are Spurs right to dream big about their chances?
Nevertheless, Harry Redknapp is still counting on his side to put on a dramatic performance at White Hart Lane tonight while also stressing that 'miracles' do happen in football.
According to uefa.com, Redknapp said: "We've got to turn in a great performance and see where it takes us. You can't be that open against a team with world-class players.
"We can't bomb forward, get ripped apart on the counterattack and get hammered. We've got to be controlled and take our chances if they come.
"Everyone feels the tie is over and we know it will take a miracle, but miracles do happen. If we play very well then you never know
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Redknapp was also eager to point out Fulham's marvelous run in the Europa League last season as an inspiration to his players.
"It's been a great run and we've enjoyed every minute. Every game has been fantastic, home and away, and we've been involved in some amazing games.
"When we came into this, we would have taken being in the last eight. I saw Fulham at home to Juventus last year [in the UEFA Europa League round of 16]. They were 3-1 down after the first leg then 1-0 down at home but won the tie, so nothing is impossible."
If there was one team that has proved their determination and grit in this season's Champions League, it definitely has to be Tottenham Hotspur. The initial magic they produced against Young Boys during th qualifying stages of this season's competition combining with their magnificent comeback at the San Siro virtually proved their credentials and even Michael Dawson agrees with it.
Dawson said: "We’ll never give up dreaming, I always say that. "When you’re in the competition, you’ve got a chance. We know it is going to be hard. There’s no hiding that.
"But we’ve certainly got players who can cause them some problems. They’ll probably be saying the same about themselves but we’ll be attacking. So it’s going to be an open game.
"Three down after 20 minutes, it certainly felt like it was all up [against Young Boys]. But we showed a lot of grit and determination to come back. Then, we got Inter Milan in the group, went 4-0 down and came back with the goals by Gareth [Bale].
"And then what a night we had against them at White Hart Lane [winning 3-1]. And we did it against AC Milan. All that shows that we can do it, eh? Let’s hope we can do it again."
Thus, the belief is definitely present in Harry Redknapp's dressing room. But whether they can accomplish the impossible or not remains a question until later tonight. In any case though, the Lilywhites faithfuls will definitely be needed to be at their level best tonight for Spurs to spur one the best comebacks in the history of European football.
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