Tottenham know that their style will ultimately pay dividends
It makes little sense to cling on to bravery as a weapon and then roll over when the stakes are increased. Mauricio Pochettino requested that his team play at the Bernabéu in the same way he instructed them on his first day at the North London club: a high pressing style, looking to play with the ball, showing personality and playing with a high defensive line with limited use of the long ball as a tactic.
Work ethic
Both sides went in at the interval with the game tied but with an underlying feeling that the Premier League side had made great strides which reaffirms my view that English teams have made a leap forward from those involved in last season's Champions League. They are now displaying a more flexible style of play, are more daring and better organised with arguably better players and managers. This Spurs side are not a deep-pocketed supported Manchester side but a team built with clear ideas and a solid work ethic..
Spurs style
The North Londoners were disciplined in regrouping and on most occasions began their line of attack by moving the ball out of defensive position in a patient but purposeful manner. On the few occasions that a move failed to come off, they' maintained their philosophy undeterred with some neat passing triangles from Aurier and Sánchez which evoked the best of Alves and Piqué, Winks was always available an an outlet with Eriksen generating space in the centre of the park as if her was a Spanish central midfielder. The striking partnership of Llorente and Kane were the outlets in a style which was reminiscent at times to watching the best of LaLiga in action. It was all very un-English in truth or maybe it's time for us to amend our mindsets.They were up against a Madrid side playing at home and much of the action will always be in the opposition area when anything can happen but at no time did it feel that Zidane's men totally dominated proceedings and certainly didn't have an extra gear to move to. Tottenham head home knowing that by playing this way, very soon they will receive their rewards.