• Champions League

CL draw couldn't be better - Redknapp

Tottenham have exceeded expectations in their first season in the Champions League © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Arsenal favourites for the title - Redknapp
  
• News: Chelsea face Manchester United in CL quarters
  
• News: Draw good for English football - Ancelotti
  
• News: Home leg will by key against Chelsea - Hernandez
  
• News: Tottenham will beat Real Madrid - Ardiles
  
• News: Spurs coach Jordan banned after Gattuso bust-up
  

Harry Redknapp says that being drawn against Real Madrid is the perfect tie for Tottenham in their first season in the Champions League.

Spurs travel to the Bernabeu to face the record nine-times winners of the European Cup for the first leg on Tuesday, April 5 before the home leg at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, April 13.

"You want to play in these games," beamed Harry after Friday morning's draw. "You want to manage in these games and the fans want to go and see these games. It couldn't be better."

Real Madrid overcame their jinx against Lyon to reach the quarter-finals and have lost just twice in 24 matches in all competitions since losing 5-0 to their rivals Barcelona.

"It's a fantastic draw," added Redknapp. "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."

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is also pleased with the draw. The Portuguese tactician, who led Chelsea between 2004 and 2007, is looking forward to returning to English shores.

"I'm very happy to play them, not because I think it's going to be easy - because I don't think it will be - but because I get to go back to London, to an English stadium and I get to see Harry and I can congratulate him for the great job he's done," Mourinho said.

"What they've done is brilliant. They beat Inter, then they played the team who have won the European Cup the second highest number of times, AC Milan, and now they play Real Madrid, the champion of champions, who have won nine European Cups.

"It will be difficult. I know the mentality of the English teams, the way they play at home, and the character they have of playing with all their heart in every minute of every game.

"They have beaten Inter, knocked out Milan and are having a very good Premier League season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.