Tottenham vs Real Madrid: How the players compare ahead of Champions League showdown at Wembley

  • Tottenham face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night
  • The two sides collide at Wembley two weeks on from a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu
  • But which manager has the edge in personnel ahead of Wednesday's clash?
  • Sportsmail considers, pound-for-pound, the players in the two likely line-ups

Tottenham and Real Madrid collide in a mouth-watering Champions League clash on Wednesday night, in what will be the Spanish giants' first ever trip to Wembley.

Under Mauricio Pochettino this season, Spurs have tended to play three at the back, with wing backs bombing on and a dove-tailing front three. Madrid, meanwhile, are likely to again line up in the narrow 4-3-3/4-4-2 diamond that has helped them reign supreme at home and abroad in recent seasons.

As such, instead of comparing the varying quality of players deployed in different positions, Sportsmail considers each player pound-for-pound in their respective roles before compiling an over score for each likely line-up.

Tottenham and Real Madrid clash on Wednesday two weeks on from their Bernabeu draw

Tottenham and Real Madrid clash on Wednesday two weeks on from their Bernabeu draw

 

Hugo Lloris vs Kiko Casilla

Hugo Lloris' display at the Bernabeu revealed why he is such an important member of Tottenham's side, with a couple of superb reaction stops to help earn a point.


The Frenchman then showed against Liverpool — when his indecision allowed Mohamed Salah to score — exactly why inconsistency has prevented his truly joining the elite.

Kiko Casilla, meanwhile, has had the chance to show very little at all. The 31-year-old has made only 31 appearances for Madrid since joining from Espanyol in 2015. 

Hugo Lloris showed his quality during the 1-1 draw, while Kiko Casilla lacks top level experience
At Wembley, the 31-year-old will make only his fifth Champions League appearance

Hugo Lloris showed his quality during the 1-1 draw, while Kiko Casilla lacks top level experience

Wednesday night's Wembley clash will be his fifth Champions League appearance, however, highlighting his lack of top-level experience. 

Lloris 8 | Casilla 6.5

Toby Alderweireld vs Achraf Hakimi

Toby Alderweireld has been the most consistent and impressive centre back in Pochettino's squad — and arguably much of the Premier League — over the last few seasons.

But the Belgium international's form has shown signs of dipping in recent weeks, notably against West Ham, thanks surely in part to his lack of consistent defensive partners.

At 18, Achraf Hakimi looks set for an immensely bright future. He, too, lacks top-level experience but did impress in the return fixture at the Bernabeu.

Alderweireld 8.5 | Hakimi 6.5

Davinson Sanchez vs Sergio Ramos

Tottenham's club-record signing has adjusted well to life in England and the responsibility of being the focal point of Spurs' back three.

The Colombia international has been impressive both with and without the ball. But in Sergio Ramos, Madrid have arguably one of the finest centre backs of his generation. 

Still only 31, the Spain international has won it all for club and country but will be without his usual defensive partner at Wembley.

Sanchez 7 | Ramos 8.5 

Sergio Ramos is one of the world's finest defenders, while Davinson Sanchez is still improving
But the Colombia international has impressed since signing for Tottenham in a club-record deal

Sergio Ramos is one of the world's finest defenders, while Davinson Sanchez is still improving

Jan Vertonghen vs Nacho

Like Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen has been a crucial part of the defensive solidity Spurs have established under Pochettino.

But like his former centre back partner, the Belgian has not looked as settled since moving to a back three, where his ball skills are crucial, but where his lack of mobility can be exploited.

Nacho, meanwhile, has been a growing influence for Madrid amid Raphael Varane's injury problems over recent seasons. 

But he will still be considered the weaker of the two Madrid centre backs and will surely be targeted by Harry Kane or whoever leads the Spurs line.

Vertonghen 7.5 | Nacho 7 

Ben Davies vs Marcelo

When fit, Ben Davies has been Pochettino's preferred left-sided defender this season. Despite a slow start to his Spurs career, the former Swansea defender has grown into a important member of their side at both ends of the pitch.

On the opposite flank, Marcelo has been a linchpin of Madrid's side for much of the past decade. The Brazilian has his critics, but he has consistently shown he is among the best full backs in the world. 

Davies 7 | Marcelo 8.5

Ben Davies has improved under Mauricio Pochettino but Marcelo is among the world's best
The Brazilian has had his critics but he is crucial for Madrid at both ends of the pitch

Ben Davies has improved under Mauricio Pochettino but Marcelo is among the world's best

Eric Dier  vs Casemiro

Since joining Spurs, Eric Dier has been deployed at centre back, full back and in midfield and the England international's versatility has been both a blessing and a curse.

After slotting into the back three at Old Trafford, he is likely to come back into midfield against Madrid, where his positioning and ball skills will be sorely tested by Zidane's excellent midfield.

Casemiro, meanwhile, is one of the unsung heroes of this Madrid side. The 25-year-old acts an effective foil for their host of attacking talent, providing balance and stability to their midfield. 

Dier 7 | Casemiro 7.5 

Harry Winks vs Toni Kroos

In the absence of the injured Mousa Dembele, Harry Winks has demonstrated why he could become a crucial player for both club and country.

The 21-year-old uses the ball well and was one of Spurs stand-out players in the bear pit of the Bernabeu. But he faces a monumental task up against the imperious Toni Kroos.

Alongside Luka Modric, the Germany international has developed into one of the finest midfielders in the world. Intelligent in possession and deadly from set-pieces, he is Madrid's conductor-in-chief.

Winks 7 | Kroos 9

Tottenham's Harry Winks faces a tough task against the imperious German Toni Kroos
The Germany international is Madrid's conductor-in-chief and deadly from set pieces

Tottenham's Harry Winks faces a tough task against the imperious German Toni Kroos

Serge Aurier vs Isco

Serge Aurier has enjoyed a mixed start to life in North London. Undoubtedly talented and dangerous going forward, the wing back benefits from the added defensive insurance three centre backs provide. 

But ill-discipline has threatened, on occasion, to mar the early months of his Tottenham career.

Isco meanwhile, is fit despite a thigh injury forcing him off against Girona. And four goals and four assists in 15 appearances show just how crucial a role he plays for Zidane's side.

Aurier 7 | Isco 8.5 

Both England's Dele Alli and Luka Modric are crucial to the creativity of their respective sides
Modric now plays deeper in midfield than when he played for Spurs in North London

Both England's Dele Alli and Luka Modric are crucial to the creativity of their respective sides 

Dele Alli vs Luka Modric

Since joining from MK Dons, Dele Alli has arguably developed into the central midfield talisman that Spurs have lacked since the departure of Modric to Madrid.

The England international has already netted five goals and picked up one assist this season as he continues his staggering improvement under Pochettino.

Modric, meanwhile, is no longer the illusive playmaker he was in North London. The 32-year-old has moved into a deeper role for the La Liga giants. But his ball skills and intelligence in possession have never deserted him. 

Alli 8.5 vs Modric 9

Christian Eriksen vs Karim Benzema

Two different players with equally important roles for their teams. Christian Eriksen's excellent eye for a pass and delivery from dead balls make him the perfect complement for the all-action pair of Alli and Kane.

Contrastly, France international Benzema has been the attacking focal point for Madrid for a number of years. Despite the array of talent that has come and gone at the Bernabeu, Benzema has been a constant. And a constant source of goals.

Eriksen 8.5 | Benzema 8

Harry Kane vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Both Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo have been a constant source of goals for their sides

Both Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo have been a constant source of goals for their sides

The level of optimism among Tottenham fans heading up Wembley way on Wednesday night will depend greatly on whether Kane is declared fit. Though Spurs are far from a one-man team, the England international has been prolific for the past three-and-a-bit seasons.

Likewise, Cristiano Ronaldo's goals have been crucial in helping Madrid conquer at home and abroad under Zidane. He now operates much more within the width of the penalty area than he did in his early years in Spain. But his eye for goal has never wavered. 

Kane 9 | Ronaldo 9.5

TOTTENHAM VS REAL MADRID TEAM TOTALS: 

Tottenham 85 | Real Madrid 88.5