Tottenham Triumphs Over Atlético Madrid With Shocking 5-1 Smash!
[Getty Images] Last week's hammering in Madrid was a chastening experience for all involved with Tottenham Hotspur, not least goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. A three-goal deficit means the tie is not completely dead and buried, but it feels a very tall task for a Spurs squad winless in their past eight - five of them under new boss Igor Tudor. Atleti, by contrast, have won six of their past seven, although they're a distant third in La Liga.
Did you know? Atletico Madrid are aiming to reach their first Champions League final since 2015-16, when they lost the decider to city rivals Real Madrid for the second time in three seasons. Only four teams (out of 51) have lost a Champions League knockout tie after leading by three or more goals from the first leg.
Atletico Madrid player to watch - Julian Alvarez The joint-fourth top scorer in this season's competition with seven goals and three assists, the versatile forward bagged a double in the first leg. Alvarez is a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina and a Champions League winner as part of the Manchester City team that did the Treble in 2022-23. Who else?
Versatile Spain international Marcos Llorente, equally at home at right-back and in midfield, scored last week's opener. Such versatility has made him virtually undroppable this campaign. The 31-year-old has a Champions League winner's medal from Real Madrid's 2017-18 campaign, although he played just 21 minutes of a group stage match against Borussia Dortmund.