Toby Alderweireld tells Tottenham to ‘respect’ the club’s history, not just Real Madrid’s

No fear | Alderweireld calls on Spurs to be confident ahead of tough Madrid test
PA
Tom Collomosse16 October 2017

Toby Alderweireld has urged Tottenham to show no fear as they prepare for one of the toughest challenges in world football.

Real Madrid have lost only twice to English opposition at the Bernabeu and are the current Champions League holders, having won three of the last four editions of this trophy. When Spurs last visited this stadium, in 2011, they were beaten 4-0 in the quarter finals of Europe’s main club competition.

Yet, while Madrid are heavy favourites, Alderweireld is adamant that Tottenham should not take a backward step in the Spanish capital.

The Belgium centre-back was part of the Atletico Madrid squad who beat their city rivals to the Liga title in 2014, though Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates got their own back in the Champions League Final that year.

“Their [Real’s] history is amazing, but we have to respect our own history as well,” said the 28-year-old. “We have a good team and we can beat them. That is not arrogance. It’s just confidence in our own game. If you play in the Premier League, you play against the best teams in the world. We have to be confident because there is always a chance to win there, to keep possession. They have a lot of quality up front, but we can hurt them as well.

“When I was at Atletico, we believed we could hurt them and we have that belief at Tottenham, too. We have a lot of respect for them, but respect doesn’t mean you take a step back. Go for it, win your battles and anything can happen.

“You see this season that Premier League teams have been getting good results, though Madrid are there every year, in the final of the Champions League. It is difficult to compare, but it is up to us to give them a good match. If we win, we won’t think we’re the best in the world, we don’t have to be too dramatic about it. We will try to get a good result because our aim is to get to the next round.”

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Bournemouth | 14/10/2017

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However, Alderweireld declined to answer a question about his contract negotiations. The defender, regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the top flight, is seeking a substantial improvement on his £50,000-a-week deal, which expires in summer 2019, and the current stalemate has attracted the attention of Spurs’ main rivals.

Alderweireld’s primary task tomorrow will be to try to keep Ronaldo quiet. The four-times World Player of the Year scored his first La Liga goal of the season in Madrid’s 2-1 win at local rivals Getafe on Saturday, though he has already scored four times in the Champions League this season.

Midfielders Luka Modric, who moved to Madrid from Tottenham in 2012, and Isco were left out of the starting XI at Getafe, but left-back Marcelo, back after a hamstring injury, played 72 minutes. Former Spurs star Gareth Bale did not feature because of the calf problem that has kept him out since September 26.

Ronaldo is expected to take the Ballon d’Or again this season after helping Madrid win both the domestic and Champions League titles.

The Portuguese has 112 goals in Uefa competitions and Harry Kane - with five in the Champions League this season - aspires to emulate the former Manchester United star.

“Ronaldo is the best in the world,” Alderweireld acknowledged. “You play football to play against people like him.”

Tottenham travelled to Spain today after claiming their first League win of the season at Wembley, defeating Bournemouth 1-0 on Saturday.

Spurs were not at their best but Alderweireld added: “We have played very well here [at Wembley] at times and I think we can build on this.”

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