Tottenham Hotspur are looking forward to seeing how they measure up against Champions League holders Real Madrid in the group stages of this seasonโs tournament, the Premier League sideโs striker Harry Kane has said.
Tottenham were handed a tough Group H draw against 11-time winners Real, German side Borussia Dortmund and Apoel Nicosia from Cyprus, and Kane says the North London team cannot wait to prove themselves in the continentโs elite competition.
โItโs a great draw. You expect to play the best in Europe in the Champions League and itโs exciting for us,โ Kane told the clubโs website. (www.tottenhamhotspur.com)
โWe look forward to these games. You want to test yourself against the best and Real Madrid are the best at the moment.
โI remember the game against Real Madrid at the (White Hart Lane in 2011. Iโm sure Wembley will be packed for the matchesโฆ Our aim is to win every game and this will be a good test to see where weโre at and how far weโve come.โ
The Spanish champions beat Tottenham 5-0 on aggregate when the two sides met in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2011. Spurs will host Real at Wembley this time, however, their temporary home until the completion of their new stadium.
Tottenham returned to Europeโs elite competition last season after a five-year absence but failed to progress to the knockout stages, finishing third in their group, and defensive midfielder Eric Dier believes that experience can help them this campaign.
โItโs a very exciting group and from last seasonโs experience, we know there are no easy games in the Champions League,โ Dier said.
โReal Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, who we played in the Europa League a couple of years ago โ our styles will make for a great game in that one. Apoel will be tough as well.
โWe respect every opponent and weโll give everything against every opponent as well and try to beat them. Itโs exciting for our fans, a really exciting group and weโre all looking forward to it.โ
The Champions League group stage kicks off next month so Tottenhamโs immediate attention will switch to domestic matters, starting with a home Premier League fixture against Burnley at Wembley on Sunday.