Real Madrid's stuttering season sets up Tottenham for a memorable Champions League night at Wembley
Tottenham host Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium, presenting the perfect chance to make yet another statement of how far they have come under Mauricio Pochettino.
An away draw at the Bernabeu in the last round of Champions League games drew praise from all corners for Pochettino’s side, however, the clash at the national stadium could be an even more memorable night for Spurs.
While their trip to Madrid was the more important in terms of the group standings - Spurs now need just three points from their final three games to qualify - the visit of Los Blancos presents the chance for Spurs to go out, enjoy their moment and look for the win against a vulnerable Zinedine Zidane side.
The Liga holders are now eight points adrift of Barcelona in the Spanish title race, having lost to a newly promoted side for the first time since 1990 with a 2-1 reverse to Girona on Sunday.
After back-to-back Champions League triumphs, many were expecting another barnstorming season from Zidane’s men, with talisman Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way. However the Portuguese’s form epitomises their struggles in the league.
The recently crowned Fifa Best Player – for a second season running – has just one goal in the league so far this term, despite taking 40 shots in his six games. His exploits leave the former Manchester United man with a conversion rate of just 2.5 per cent, the lowest of any goalscorer in all five of Europe’s top divisions.
In Pictures | Real Madrid vs Tottenham | 17/10/2017
This is far from saying that Ronaldo is not a game-changing threat, with nine career goals against them Spurs know how dangerous he can be, or that Real Madrid will not be a stern test under the arch on Wednesday night.
However, with the Galacticos enduring their worst goalscoring start to a league campaign since 2006, Pochettino has as good a chance as he could ask for – with no real pressure on their group standing – to record a first managerial career win against the Spanish giants and make Wednesday night one for the history books.
