Madrid here we come

Tottenham, who knocked out AC Milan in the last round, will travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their tie against nine-time winners Real Madrid.

"You want to play in these games," sais Spurs boss Harry Redknapp. "You want to manage in these games and the fans want to go and see these games. It couldn't be better.

"It's a fantastic draw. What a game to look forward to against one of the greatest clubs in world football.

"To play Real Madrid at this stage of the Champions League is fantastic for us and we're all looking forward to it.

"It's going to be a difficult game, obviously. They are a great side. But you have to look forward to games like this. These are the great days in your life and great days in Tottenham's history.

"We'll go there and give it a real go. It's an exciting game. You couldn't have a more exciting or tougher game.

"I've said all along that the two Spanish clubs were, for me, the favourites to win it.

"We've drawn Real Madrid who are pushing Barcelona all the way for the championship with big players and a fantastic manager. In my opinion, he's one of the all-time greats.

"But we've got a chance against anyone. We feel we can play against anyone and give them a game. We're looking forward to it."

The two clubs met in the quarter-finals of the 1984/85 Uefa Cup when the Spanish side beat 1-0 Tottenham away before a goalless draw at the Bernabeu helped them advance on the way to winning the trophy that season.

But Real have failed to win their last five Champions League encounters against English clubs and have lost four of those games.

Tottenham, who reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1962 when they lost to Benfica, will be out to stop Real manager Jose Mourinho's attempts to become the first man to win the Champions League with three different clubs.

Mourinho led Porto to success in the competition in 2004 and guided Inter to victory last season before making the switch from the San Siro to Spain.

He has guided Real to the last eight for the first time since 2004, with their last win in the Champions League coming in 2002.

Mourinho said: "I'm happy not because it is easy but because I love to play in England."

Real director Emilio Butragueno added: "We are very happy because over the last few seasons we have been unable to get to this round.

"This competition is the most prestigious in Europe. It is going to be a fantastic tie and Tottenham have great, great players, offensive players and are very competitive.

"I'm sure it's going to be very difficult for us. I'm hopeful our team will rise to the occasion."

Spurs signed playmaker Rafael van der Vaart from Real last summer and Butragueno said: "Rafael van der Vaart is a fantastic player and a great person and professional and I'm happy he's been very successful.

"I'm sure he'll strive to do a great game and help his team qualify for the semi-finals."

The tie between them promises goals as Tottenham, managed by Harry Redknapp, and Real have scored the most goals in the competition of the remaining teams with 19 apiece, although the Spanish team have let in only three while Spurs have conceded 11.

If Spurs do progress, they have been drawn to be at home for the first leg of a semi-final against favourites Barcelona or last-eight debutants Shakhtar.

nice draw. could of been much worse.