Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Redknapp Thinks Spurs Well Positioned After 4-0 Madrid Defeat


MADRID (DF) -- Despite conceding four goals and scoring none at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes his Spurs side are still in a winning position heading into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid at White Hart Lane.

Spurs will be without targetman Peter Crouch for the return leg in London after the lanky striker was sent off in the fifteenth minute by German referee Felix Brych for two bookable offences. In spite of Crouch's enforced absence, Redknapp is sure his side have the firepower to progress.

"Yeah, we'll give it a go," said Redknapp when questioned by reporters outside the team hotel. "Obviously, the lads are gutted by tonight's result, but we're confident enough to know we can turn it around."

"Their defense has more holes than Crouchy's head, at the moment," continued Redknapp. "We didn't test them tonight because of the early sending off, but we'll score six or seven at the Lane for sure. I can't imagine a reason why we wouldn't."

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho claimed in the pre-match build up he would have taken a 0-0 result at the Bernabeu, but on loan Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor's early goal combined with Crouch's red card inside fifteen minutes turned the tide of the tie heavily in favor of Mourinho's free-flowing Galacticos. Even with the four goal cushion, the Portuguese insists their job isn't done.

"Yes, we are in a good position, but anything can happen in football," professed a pragmatic Mourinho after the match. "There are still 90 minutes left to play and Spurs are capable of scoring four goals themselves. I'm comfortable in England, I'll be back there next season, but for now I won't be comfortable until the final whistle."

Mourinho added: "Hopefully we will get a neutral referee in the return leg who won't be influenced when Harry flashes his checkbook."