Dele: "It's important we don't just compete, we win"
Thu 02 November 2017, 09:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Dele Alli told us beforehand that he’d been counting the days to the game against Real Madrid as he was available again for the Champions League after suspension. He certainly made every minute count as we stepped up spectacularly on the biggest stage.
Dele sparked a famous 3-1 win against the holders and back-to-back winners with goals after 27 and 56 minutes at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE.
He then started the move that ended with Christian Eriksen putting us 3-0 up and into dream land, essentially game over. Cristiano Ronaldo replied late for Real Madrid but this was our night – and one of the most famous results in the Club’s history.
All the talk pre-match was of Harry Kane’s fitness and Dele’s return, and he delivered.
“It’s horrible when you are not involved, you just want to get out there and help and fight for the team,” said Dele.
“I was looking forward to coming back in (for the Champions League), thankfully the gaffer put me back in and it was a great performance by everyone. It was nice to get the two goals but more importantly we won and it was a great night for us.
“Everyone is buzzing. We all know how good we are as a team, we knew if we stayed solid at the back and especially from the away game, it gave us a lot of confidence. We’re all delighted. It’s a great result to build on.”
Dele’s opener came via a magnificent and now trademark first-time volleyed cross from Kieran Trippier. We put together a carbon-copy move 10 minutes earlier and Dele couldn’t get to the cross – there was no stopping him second time around.
“I was disappointed I wasn’t in there for the first chance,” he reflected. “As soon as the ball went out the second time I knew Trips was going to put the same ball in and I had to make sure I got there. Thankfully I got there first and it went in.”
The icing on the cake of a night we’ll never forget came as Group H rivals Borussia Dortmund were held again by APOEL, meaning we’ve already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition. We top the group on 10 points, eight clear of the German and Cyprus teams with two matches remaining.
Dele added: “You want to be in the Champions League playing against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona but it’s important we don’t just compete, we win. We’ve said all along that we feel we’re a top side and nights like this show we are."
