real madrid v tottenham Bernabeu the latest stage for Bale to show his talent
Tottenham will look to Bale to pose the main attacking threat, his club’s medical staff will shoot concerned glances after every tackle and surging run, while a host of scouts will scribble furiously as the Welshman continues to be coveted by clubs across Europe.
One of which is said to be Real, although Jose Mourinho refutes such suggestions. Bale only signed a lucrative new contract last month but he continues to be linked with a move to clubs such as Manchester United, Real and Barcelona after a series of scintillating performances in Europe this season. Mourinho may be insistent he is not interested, but the Portuguese, rather typically, could not resist highlighting his ability to spot a quality player.
“I was one of the first to say he will be an amazing player,” he said. “I was saying that when he was not known in European football, just in England, so I know the great player he is. He is still young and there is a big space for him to improve so he will be a really top, top, top player. I have no doubt about that.
“Tottenham is not a good club to sell, though. It is a club that buys. I think for the amount of money involved, it is not easy to buy and we have players for that position.”
Bale. for his part, would not rule out a move abroad in the future should the opportunity prove irresistible. “If a great opportunity arises you need to seriously consider it,” he said. “I left home at 15. If I leave the Premier League, I’ll learn another language, I’ll know other people, another country, I will grow as a person.”
Tottenham have already grown as a team this season. The London club have shown they are not out of their depth in the Champions League, and Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, wants his side to continue to show they belong at this level by defeating Real.
“We are not just coming here to turn up,” he said. “We want to keep progressing. The dream is still there for us, we have to make that dream come true. 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.”
While Redknapp will be pleased to jot down Bale’s name on his team-sheet, Real are also likely to be able to call upon their own star turn. Cristiano Ronaldo has been struggling with a hamstring strain that caused him miss Real’s league defeat to Sporting Gijon at the weekend, but the talented Portuguese winger is likely to return for his side tonight. His presence will offer an added impetus to Real, although Mourinho admits his side were not lacking in motivation.
“It’s been several years since Real Madrid have played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” he said. “It’s a match that is too nice and too important to think about other things. I give the match a 10 out of 10 for importance.”
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