UEFA Champions League: Roma 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid unbeaten in 2015-16 Champions League tournament
Real Madrid, who are undefeated in this season’s edition of the Champions League, added another victory to their list as they beat Roma 0-2 with goals from Ronaldo (57 minutes) and Jese (86 minutes) at Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy. Goals from both CR7 and Jesé in the second half gave the Whites the match, with a point advantage going into their second Champions League Last-16 leg against Roma as Real Madrid aim to seal a spot in the quarter-finals with a win at home on March 8th at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Champions League may be Real Madrid’s only chance for a trophy in their 2015-15 campaign with arch rivals Barca seven points ahead of the Whites in the Spanish La Liga, added to the White’s expulsion from the Copa del Rey. After a scoreless first half, goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jesé in the second half sealed the win at the Olympic Stadium and gave the Whites an advantage in the knockout phase that they will aim to close out on March 8th.
Following the break, Real Madrid came out determined to take charge and turn the tide of the match in their favor in the second half. In the 57th minute, Portuguese superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo ran towards the box to deliver an amazing backheel putting Real Madrid ahead with a right-footed shot that defeated goalie Szczesny. As the clash went on, Real Madrid continued to dominate and Roma slowed down. Real attempted to add to their advantage in the 78th minute with a cross from CR7 and a header attempt from James. Roma responded two minutes later through Dzeko, who failed to score as he sent the ball into the side of the net. The win was sealed for the Whites by Jesé in the 86th minute with a perfect curling shot.
The big difference in the quality of the two sides was noticeable in the Group Stage. In the Group Stage, Roma barely moved up into the last 16 after winning just one of their group stage clashes. Roma were beaten 6-1 by Real’s arch rivals Barcelona. In contrast, the Whites won five of their six group games, scoring a total of 19 goals. Frenchman Real Madrid boss Zinédine Zidane prevailed on his UEFA Champions League coaching debut. Zidane got off to a great start to his European competition as new boss at Real Madrid, with a victory against Roma in his first Champions League match as manager after winning five and drawing one of his six Spanish La Liga games to date.
Zidane had lots of previous experience in the Champions League as a player, scoring a stunning winner for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League Final. Real Madrid manager Zidane cited his side’s patience, morale, and cohesion as he hailed the Whites for earning a clean sheet and for making the most of their chances at Roma to go into the second leg of the tie well placed for a quarter-final spot.
"We're happy with the game and the result. We knew it was going to be a tough game but we fought to the end. In the first half they pressured us and that's normal in a difficult Champions League tie,” said new Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane after the win. "Cristiano was great but then again so was everyone. Even those who did not play were important for team morale. I'm happy with Jese's goal - he deserved it for his efforts. "
“We played a lot better than we have done in other away matches. It's important to score and keep a clean sheet in the Champions League and we did both. It was a difficult game against a good side. The first half was tough but we played much better after the break,” Continued Zidane. “We scored two goals and we could have had even more, but Roma had chances too. To score two away from home, without conceding any, is very important.”
Squads
Roma: Szczesny, Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne, Pjanic, Vainqueur, Nainggolan, Salah, Perotti, El Shaarawy
Subs: De Sanctis, Dzeko, Totti, Maicon, Falque, De Rossi, Keita
Manager: Luciano Spalletti
Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Modric, Kroos, Isco, Rodriguez, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Casemiro, Kovacic, Lucas, Jese, Danilo
Manager: Zinedine Zidane
Referee: Pavel Kralovec (Czech Republic)
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti was pleased with his side’s overall display.
“We are happy that the fans applauded us off. They realized that the players gave everything and that we were simply unlucky today. We created the right openings but couldn't score; in contrast, Madrid were clinical. You can't afford even a small mistake against them,” remarked Roma coach Luciano Spalletti after the match. “When we conceded the first goal we became fearful and that's why we conceded the second. We lost our balance at times but I am happy with our overall display. We produced a great second half.”
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