Real Madrid and Tottenham Not Finished Yet

Courtesy of marca.com

It's easy after just two games to think that Real Madrid and Tottenham are in huge trouble in the Champions League. But really, when you look at the tables of their respective groups, you will be able to see that both these clubs still aren't in complete trouble quite yet. Both clubs are on one point through two games in the Champions League. Both clubs have been humiliated by the biggest contender they had to win the group.

Tottenham is in the slightly worse position of the two. When Red Star Belgrade beat Olympiacos yesterday it put Red Star on 3 points, so Tottenham know they must beat Red Star Belgrade and NOT lose to them in their two upcoming games against them. This is easier said than done because Red Star has shown both last year and now this year that Belgrade is a very difficult place to visit. Last year they got a draw against Napoli and beat European Champions Liverpool in Belgrade and managed to keep it a 1 goal game until late on against PSG as well. We shouldn't be surprised in the slightest if they manage a result against Tottenham, especially on home turf. The good thing for Tottenham is that they do play Red Star at home in Matchday 3 before traveling to Belgrade for Matchday 4. Tottenham have already likely lost the group but 2nd is still possible so long as they don't lose to Red Star in either game. Easier said than done.

Photocredit skysports.com

Real Madrid are in the better position of the two because no team outside of PSG has won in their group. Like Tottenham, they are probably finished when it comes to winning the group. They travel to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray in Matchday 3. They would have to lose one of the two upcoming matches with Galatasaray AND fail to win the other to convince everyone they're in serious trouble. They are level on points with Galatasaray. Club Brugge still hasn't played PSG yet so barring another great performance by them, they likely stay on just 2 points through the next two matchdays. The one thing Madrid has no control over is whether Brugge is able to pull off a win against PSG. However unlikely as that may be, that's the one thing outside Madrid's control that could change things.

Both clubs are in trouble at the moment. But Real have won Champions Leagues before and have the experience to get themselves out of this. Tottenham also were in a Final just a few months ago. Their comeback against Ajax tells you everything that this club isn't finished until it's truly impossible. This said, there's still a good chance one of these clubs miss out on the knockout stages. If that happens, the manager of that club will be out. Real desperately need Eden Hazard to step up. Tottenham need Eriksen back and focused equally as much.