Tottenham must shackle Ozil to beat Real Madrid

Tottenham v Real Madrid
Champions League Quarter Final
13 April 2011

Tottenham must contain the creative threat posed by Mesut Özil if they are to avoid a repeat of their heavy defeat at the Bernabeú.

The German midfielder set up two of Madrid’s four goals at home, including the opener by Emmanuel Adebayor, but also assisted 12 shots in total in the match, the most by a single player in a game in the competition in the last five seasons:

Most Chances Created in a CL Match Since 2006/07

Following his efforts in the home leg, Özil is now the most creative player in the Champions League this season, having assisted seven goals, and Harry Redknapp’s side will need to ensure that he doesn’t have the run of White Hart Lane in their next encounter.

Most Assists – Champions League 2010-11

CRISTIANO RONALDO TO LEAD SURGE DOWN LEFT FLANK

If Ozil wasn’t enough, stats show that the majority of Real Madrid’s attacking play in the first leg against Spurs came down the left flank, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge.

In the 4-0 win at the Bernabeú, 41% of the Merengues’ attacks came down the left-hand side of the pitch, compared to just 24% down the right flank with Cristiano Ronaldo often cutting in from this side to shoot.

The Portuguese had 14 shots against Tottenham, the most by a player in a Champions League match since Kaká had 15 against Celtic in March 2007, in spite of his injury worries. This season Ronaldo has had the most shots in the Champions League, averaging just under seven per game, as Real Madrid use the left-sided forward as the focus of their attacking play.

Most Shots – Champions League 2010-11

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