Group of Death offers Tottenham chance to show European worth

Some schools of thought interpret today’s Champions League draw as a death sentence for Tottenham while others believe it will catapult the team to eminent European heights. 

Tottenham’s group, the 2017-18 Champions League Group of Death, is comprised of Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Apoel. It’s not hard to see why it’s the most difficult group in the competition.

Headlined by the back-to-back winners, one couldn’t be faulted for throwing a projectile at his or her computer screen upon seeing the draw. That visceral reaction was probably commonplace for throngs of Spurs supporters. I would have chucked something at my laptop screen had I not been shit scared of the financial repercussions.

After allowing the news to sink in, other emotions came rushing to the fore, principally hope and excitement. The Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in the world for many reasons. It showcases the best teams, stadiums and players football has on offer. Supporters clamour to procure tickets and, barring the World Cup and European Championships, players desire most to lift the coveted Champions League trophy.

To win the Champions League you must, at some point in the triumphant journey, beat the best teams. So why not make a statement of intent in the group stage?

I couldn’t think of a better scenario than seeing Tottenham vs. Real Madrid at Wembley for a Champions League match. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I’d prefer it if White Hart Lane was substituted for Wembley.

While Dortmund currently aren’t the perfect embodiment of stability, they are sill a dominant force in European football. Their results against Madrid in last season’s group stage are another example of their vaunted pedigree.

Group H offers Spurs an obscure blessing. It’s time for Tottenham, who have their eyes set on European success, to take the bull by the horns. The early reaction on Twitter follows this narrative, as players express their excitement.

Can you imagine the kind of confidence Spurs can take from a few good early results against two of Europe’s best? These matches, with the right performances, can have an immeasurable positive and pervading effect on the rest of season, both domestically and in the Champions League.

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For Tottenham to be a juggernaut, they must show their worth against the true behemoths of the sport. And there is no bigger giant to slay than Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and the rest of Zinedine Zidane’s Galacticos.