Toby Alderweireld believes Tottenham must believe they can beat Real Madrid ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash.
Spurs travel to the Bernabeu knowing a win will see them go above Madrid at the top of Group H.
“We have to be confident,” Alderweireld told ESPN. “There’s always a chance to win there, always to keep possession and to hurt them. Of course they have a lot of quality up front but we can hurt them as well.
“[At Atletico] there was belief to hurt them and we have that belief [at Tottenham] as well. We have a lot of respect for them of course, but respect doesn’t mean take your foot back [off the pedal]. Just go for it, win your battles and anything can happen.
“It’s amazing, you have to have respect them, but we have to respect our history as well. We have a good team and we can beat them. It’s not arrogance, it’s just confidence in our own game. We know they are a very good side, but we have to try to play our game there then we have the best chance to get a good result.”
Mauricio Pochettino has also suggested Spurs can win at the Bernabeu.
“We are going there to play and be Tottenham,” said the Argentine. “We will try to dominate them – to press high and play in their half. If they push us back, then we may have to adapt to their quality. But at the beginning we will be brave and aggressive, and play to win.”
Hopefully that game plan won’t backfire. Spurs have every right to attack Madrid, but leaving gaps at the back could prove disastrous.
Hala Madrid forever, if you can’t beat us , join us and taste the victory. In real Madrid we believe, no matter how hard they will play, Real Madrid will win the game cause doesn’t joke when it comes to the UEFA champions league.