Redknapp: Tottenham can upset Real Madrid

04 April 2011 23:00

Harry Redknapp is adamant that Tottenham can take a giant step towards a dream Champions League final by pulling off a huge upset against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Spurs arrived at the Bernabeu having beaten Inter Milan and AC Milan on the way to making the last eight. In Real Madrid, champions of Europe nine times, they face an intimidating opponent blessed with some of the best players in the world and a coach in Jose Mourinho who is seeking his third Champions League winner's medal.

"I don't feel any pressure. No one expected us to be here at the start of the season and we have a big chance of winning," Redknapp said. "We are not just coming here to turn up. We want to keep progressing. The dream is still there for us, we have to make that dream come true."

With rampaging winger Gareth Bale set to make his return to action, and buoyed by the victories that have got them to the quarter-finals, Spurs should not feel under any pressure according to their boss.

He added: "We want to go all the way if we can. We know how difficult it's going to be but there is still a chance and we have to take it."

Bale trained with his team-mates on Monday evening, and he will play on Tuesday if he suffers no recurrence of the hamstring injury which has troubled him recently.

The main talking point of Monday's pre-match build-up has not been the issue of Bale's fitness, however, but that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jose Mourinho delayed naming his squad and dodged questions on his Portuguese compatriot before announcing him in the group for Tuesday's clash, which will take place in front of a sell-out 80,000 crowd.

Ronaldo is expected to start despite his hamstring problem and Redknapp admits the prospect of facing him is daunting.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you I'm pleased that Ronaldo is playing," Redknapp added. "He is a fantastic player. It's a toss-up between him and Lionel Messi for who is the best player in the world. Those are two amazing footballers."

Source: PA