MADRID - Tottenham Hotspur coach Harry Redknapp admitted the early sending off of Peter Crouch had given his side an impossible task against nine-time European champion Real Madrid after losing 4-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday.

Redknapp watched on as Crouch received bookings for reckless challenges on Sergio Ramos and Marcelo to receive his marching orders in the 15th minute and Real capitalized with three further goals to add to their fourth-minute opener from Emmanuel Adebayor.

"I haven't spoken to (Peter) Crouch to be honest," said Redknapp. "I was disappointed. The last thing we needed was to go down to 10 men early in the game and that is what happened.

"I haven't seen a replay of the tackle. He already had a yellow card and he shouldn't take the chance of getting a red card so as I said I am disappointed."

Tottenham held on until the interval trailing just 1-0 but fell apart in the second half with Adebayor scoring his second before Angel di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo netted late on.

"In the first half we did fantastic with 10 men. However, we ran out of steam and it was one of those nights. Better teams than us would have struggled against a side such as Real with 10 men.

"Jose (Mourinho) said it was impossible to play with 10 men for so long. To play for that long against a good team is impossible for us."

Redknapp also bemoaned the disruption to his starting lineup with Aaron Lennon pulling out at the last minute, claiming he didn't feel he had the energy to play. Jermaine Jenas took his place.

"It was difficult to lose (Aaron) Lennon just before kick-off," said Redknapp. "He didn't feel well so we had to change that, which was difficult.

"He felt rough, had a warm-up and said he didn't feel he was OK to play. It was late. He felt he didn't have any energy or strength after the warm-up and said he might only last five minutes. It wasn't worth risking him."

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho offered some sympathy to Redknapp and admitted the sending-off had been decisive, but said that he knew from his time in England with Chelsea that Tottenham would not lie down in the second leg.

"Of course I have some sympathy for Harry (Redknapp) and I hope no one criticises Tottenham because 11 against 10 at this level is mission impossible," said Mourinho.

"I know the mentality of the English players and their fans. Everything is possible. Manchester United came from two goals down to win 4-2 against West Ham the other day so it is possible."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 04/07/2011 page24)