You will see the best standard of football in the world this week. When the Champions League reaches the quarter- final stages, the quality and intensity on show is better than anything that is produced at the World Cup or in any international fixture.
This is what football is all about. The best players playing in the best games and the standards Tottenham have been used to so far this season are about to be ratcheted up in the Bernabeu.
The slightest error or hesitation will prove fatal. Don't think for one moment, though, that Spurs will suffer stage fright. They have consistently upped their game in the Champions League and while Harry Redknapp will urge his side to attack, he proved in the last round against AC Milan that he can find the right blend of caution and adventure.
ONE TO WATCH - MESUT OZIL He has been fantastic and I would have loved Liverpool to sign him last summer. For such a young lad to go into a side of Real Madrid's quality and play so well speaks volumes for his talent. Don't forget he is keeping Kaka out of the team, which is some achievement. He will be very important, especially if Tottenham go with two central midfielders. Even if Spurs play with three in midfield, the Germany star (above) will be really difficult to pick up.
The problem for Tottenham, however, is Jose Mourinho, the master of hatching plans in big games. Tottenham will be desperate to take an away goal back to White Hart Lane but scoring in one of the greatest stadiums in the world won't be so easy - not even with Gareth Bale in full flight. Mourinho will have studied everything Bale has done this season - some of his performances have been mind-blowing - and I watched a game Real played against Atletico Madrid last month that gave an inkling of what they might do to put the brakes on.
Real switched Cristiano Ronaldo to the left flank, dropped Angel Di Maria and played Sami Khedira on the right in front of Sergio Ramos, meaning they were more disciplined and solid and won a tight game 2-1. This could be an option used at some stage.
This is the first time Real have been in the quarterfinals since 2004 and you can see how desperate they are to go all the way to Wembley. They are one of the two best teams in Europe but their excellent recent form has gone almost unnoticed because of Barcelona's sustained brilliance.
It might be hard for Real to peg Barcelona back in La Liga, while there is a chance they could also lose the Copa Del Rey final to their great rivals, but if they were to win a 10th European Cup, it would rain on anything Barcelona were to achieve this season.Mourinho knows this better than anyone.
Real have got a fantastic chance of winning the tournament and in my opinion, they will have too much know-how for Spurs in the Bernabeu. I would also expect Real to score in the return leg, even if Tottenham, as is their way, throw everything at them.
CARRA'S BIG-MATCH VERDICT: Real Madrid to progress. I've no doubt Tottenham will acquit themselves with great credit but I'd expect Real to win in the Bernabeu and score at White Hart Lane. That will be enough.
INTER MILAN V SCHALKE - ONE TO WATCH: Wesley Sneijder
He mirrored Inter's fortunes with a slow start to the season. It took a while for him to find his form afterthe World Cup but the Dutchman is starting to come into his own at just the right time.
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?Explore more:People: Jamie Carragher, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Harry Redknapp, Sergio Ramos, Wesley Sneijder, Gareth Bale, Jose Mourinho Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Germany, Europe
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail