Roma 0-2 Real Madrid
SBOBET fans could have been forgiven for thinking the drama of a Champions League night in the eternal city was over before it had even begun.
CSKA Moscow’s failure to defeat Viktoria Plzen in the teatime kickoff meant both sides took the field knowing they had qualified for the last 16, regardless of this result.
So, in theory, this could be a fairly relaxed night and a gentle return to the stadium where new Real boss Santiago Solari scored his first Champions League goal, right?
Not one bit of it—there was a group to be won!
Highlights of the game
The Giallorossi were finding out they had qualified at around the same time as club legend Francesco Totti was addressing the home fans after he was inducted into the club hall of fame.
The club’s all-time leading appearance holder and goalscorer looked emotional as he received a special club shirt and his Twitter feed said it all.
His arrival certainly livened up the crowd, and if the earlier result had made this become somewhat irrelevant, it didn’t show in the intensity as both clubs knew the winners would probably top Group G.
It doesn’t always work out that way, of course, but the victors also knew they were far more likely to face a potentially more straightforward task in the knockout stages, given many of the European giants lead their groups.
There was a blow for both teams before kickoff.
Although centre-back Kostas Manolas was deemed fit to play, Daniele De Rossi and Diego Perotti were not, nor was frontman Edin Dzeko—22 career goals in the competition and the top-scorer in this season’s Champions League, level with Lionel Messi on five goals.
That meant Patrik Schick came into Eusebio Di Francesco’s side hoping to open his account in Europe.
For Los Blancos, there was no Isco (reportedly disgruntled at being left out), as well as Casemiro or Marco Asensio, the latter took his place on the bench.
While we anticipated some Champions League 2018 highlights, few expected a repeat of the one-sided meeting in Madrid in September. After all, much has changed since then.
There was plenty to keep fans entertained, however, with Dani Carvajal forced into a desperate clearance after an early cross from Cengiz Under with Stephan El Shaarawy in hot pursuit.
He slipped as he tried to connect and the unfortunate Italian’s evening was virtually over.
Before El Shaarawy made way due to injury moments later, it was home goalkeeper Robin Olsen’s turn to be called into action, parrying a wickedly deflected shot from Luka Modric.
Teammate Toni Kroos, whose last-gasp goal in the World Cup beat Olsen and Sweden (although Olsen’s team had the last laugh), also tested the goalkeeper. However, it was the hosts who looked slightly more dangerous.
First, Schick scuffed a cross from the dangerous Aleksandar Kolarov before substitute Justin Kluivert, subbed in for El Shaarawy, fired high and wide from a dangerous position.
Only the reflexes of Thibaut Courtois denied Schick moments later before a vital block kept out the rebound from Steven Nzonzi. Kolarov also drilled narrowly wide.
Under’s miss of an open goal on the stroke of halftime is something that will be shown time and time again in the days ahead, especially that it meant Real survived to the break with their defence intact.
It was to prove costly.
Within a minute of the restart, a poor header from Federico Fazio went straight to Gareth Bale and the Welshman made no mistake.
Another key block from Carvajal denied Roma. Bale would have grabbed his second but for the onrushing Olsen.
After Florenzi and Kluivert failed to take two more chances, clinical Real sealed victory.
This time, it was Lucas Vazquez who sealed the victory for the reigning European champions after a header from Karim Benzema took the ball into his path.
Game over and Marcelo and Benzema all went fairly close to extending the advantage.
For all of Kolarov’s prompting, Roma were beaten and Real had a fine win as they chase a record fourth successive Champions League title.
Key statistics
These two sides have become familiar UEFA Champions League foes in the in the past two decades. This was their 12th meeting, all of which happened at the turn of the century.
Roma have only won once in five home games against Spanish visitors and only two of their last 12 matches against Spanish (drawn two, lost eight).
What’s next?
The Champions League 2018 betting odds favour Real to top the group and that is now confirmed.
Roma have a Sunday showdown with Inter Milan and a trip to Cagliari to play in Serie A before they complete their group stage matches with a visit to Plzen.
Madrid host Valencia in La Liga next before playing minnows Melilla in the Copa del Rey. They also travel to newly promoted Huesca in the league before rounding off their UCL Group G fixtures by welcoming CSKA to the Bernabeu.
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