Spurs suffer a massive blow to their confidence and hopes as Madrid put one foot in the Champions League semi finals with a 4-0 win over Redknapp's men in the first leg last night.
From a highly anticipated battle between the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, the match between Spurs and Madrid was probably spoiled during the early stages after Peter Crouch was sent off for two bookable offences. Nevertheless, Los Blancos made sure they used their numerical advantage on the pitch to 'Real' perfection.
Aaron Lennon's withdrawal from the squad during the last hour should have given Redknapp a clue that it was always not going to be their day. Needless to say though, two blows in the opening 15 minutes threw Spurs out of the game.
From that moment onwards, the Lilywhites were constantly looking to get the ball to Gareth Bale, who was the only spark of attacks for Redknapp's troops. But even he ran out of ideas as the game progressed.
Instead, Jose Mourinho made sure his men take advantage of their extra man by controlling possession and forcing Spurs into 'defensive' mode. Everybody present in the Santiago Bernebeu knew that it was always a matter of time before Madrid increased their lead and everything went according to plan as two goals from Adebayor and one apiece from Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria settled the tie.
Ronaldo, who passed a late fitness test to make the starting line-up against Spurs, believed that Real Madrid were the better team and fully deserved their victory.
Ronaldo said: "I'm very satisfied because the team put in a good performance. Recording a 4-0 win in the quarter-finals of the Champions League is a great result.
"We shouldn't get carried away though. It's important to stay focused and to continue working very hard to hold on to our advantage. Anything can happen in football."
As far as Harry Redknapp was concerned, he sensed that the match was already going to be a tough call from the moment Aaron Lennon pulled out minutes before kick-off.
''We lost Aaron Lennon a minute before kick-off, he didn't feel well, just said he had no energy, no strength. We had to change the team just as we were leaving the dressing room,'' he said.
''Then we went a goal down and got Crouchy sent off. It's difficult to come here with 11 men let alone to come and play with 10.''
Redknapp's opinions were equally shared by his counterpart, Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One' admitted that the Crouch sending-off made the match an impossible one for Spurs- who were already a goal down at that moment of time.
''I know at his level, 11 against 10, it's almost impossible. It's just a question of the team with 11 keeping concentrated and we did that in the second half, not in the first half but in the second half we did that.
''For a team with 10 men for such a long time is an impossible mission. I feel sorry because with 11 against 11 the match would be much better.''
The result has pretty much placed Real Madrid as clear favorites to progress as Spurs would need a repeat of their comeback at the San Siro to have any chance of undoing the European giants.
This disappointing result will add to the intensity of the Premier League match against Stoke City later this weekend. Spurs are on a poor run of form in the league and with their Champions League hopes for this season under humongous threat; Harry Redknapp's men could bid farewell to Europe's most coveted competition if they fail to assert themselves in the top four this season.
Aaron Lennon's withdrawal from the squad during the last hour should have given Redknapp a clue that it was always not going to be their day. Needless to say though, two blows in the opening 15 minutes threw Spurs out of the game.
From that moment onwards, the Lilywhites were constantly looking to get the ball to Gareth Bale, who was the only spark of attacks for Redknapp's troops. But even he ran out of ideas as the game progressed.
Instead, Jose Mourinho made sure his men take advantage of their extra man by controlling possession and forcing Spurs into 'defensive' mode. Everybody present in the Santiago Bernebeu knew that it was always a matter of time before Madrid increased their lead and everything went according to plan as two goals from Adebayor and one apiece from Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria settled the tie.
Ronaldo, who passed a late fitness test to make the starting line-up against Spurs, believed that Real Madrid were the better team and fully deserved their victory.
Ronaldo said: "I'm very satisfied because the team put in a good performance. Recording a 4-0 win in the quarter-finals of the Champions League is a great result.
"We shouldn't get carried away though. It's important to stay focused and to continue working very hard to hold on to our advantage. Anything can happen in football."
As far as Harry Redknapp was concerned, he sensed that the match was already going to be a tough call from the moment Aaron Lennon pulled out minutes before kick-off.
''We lost Aaron Lennon a minute before kick-off, he didn't feel well, just said he had no energy, no strength. We had to change the team just as we were leaving the dressing room,'' he said.
''Then we went a goal down and got Crouchy sent off. It's difficult to come here with 11 men let alone to come and play with 10.''
Redknapp's opinions were equally shared by his counterpart, Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One' admitted that the Crouch sending-off made the match an impossible one for Spurs- who were already a goal down at that moment of time.
''I know at his level, 11 against 10, it's almost impossible. It's just a question of the team with 11 keeping concentrated and we did that in the second half, not in the first half but in the second half we did that.
''For a team with 10 men for such a long time is an impossible mission. I feel sorry because with 11 against 11 the match would be much better.''
The result has pretty much placed Real Madrid as clear favorites to progress as Spurs would need a repeat of their comeback at the San Siro to have any chance of undoing the European giants.
This disappointing result will add to the intensity of the Premier League match against Stoke City later this weekend. Spurs are on a poor run of form in the league and with their Champions League hopes for this season under humongous threat; Harry Redknapp's men could bid farewell to Europe's most coveted competition if they fail to assert themselves in the top four this season.
