Real Madrid defeated a defiant AS Roma outfit with a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions league round of 16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening.
It was expected to be a goal fest as both sides sought to further their respective European campaigns.
As predicted, Real attacked from the opening whistle with the front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez combining to create a menacing strike force.
Giallorossi veteran Francesco Totti was rested as defender Alessandro Florenzi assumed the role of captain, with the hosts hoping to absorb the pressure of the visitors and burst forward on the break.
Despite dominating posession in the first term, the Los Galacticos had no shots on target, the closest chance falling to Brazilian Marcelo, who’s shot flashed wide of the target. Roma had a few opportunities of their own though, thanks to the on-pitch awareness of Mohamed Salah and the pace of new striker Stephan El-Sharaawy.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 57th minute as Ronaldo curled the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area, to give his side the crucial away goal advantage.
However, the goal did not deter the hosts as Salah came forward on several occasions to assist El-Sharaawy, yet the Romans’ finishing let them down.
Substitute Jese Rodriguez secured the victory with another strike from distance, putting the Los Blancos well and truly in the drivers seat ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernebau.
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Watch out for Mohamed Salah and Stephan El-Sharaawy
The Egyptian and the Italian international have more than proven their importance to the Roma squad as well and its potential future success.
In previous seasons, the Giallorossi have struggled to not only absorb pressure of stronger teams (i.e. a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United) but were also missing the speed to quickly transition from defence to attack. They were continually caught in transition and did not have enough time to track back. Which of course as a result led to defensive gaps that were easy to exploit.
The importance of Salah was expressed by Spalletti prior to the match, as his speed and on pitch awareness gives the Romans that extra advantage. Combine that with the skill, strength and agility of El-Sharaawy and it certainly makes an intimidating attacking force.
The Italian international was below-par during his time in Monaco, yet has since made quite an impression on the Romanisti, already scoring twice under Luciano Spalletti. His poor finishing, coupled with the sturdy structure of the Real defence, meant he did not get his name on the Champions League scoresheet, but no doubt it will happen sooner rather than later.
GOAL!! @OfficialASRoma 0-2 @realmadrid. A brilliant run, a brilliant away goal for @JeseRodriguez10 #UCL https://t.co/oZgEQu9S8w
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) February 17, 2016
Ronaldo’s new milestone and the backbone that is Luka Modric
Yes another Ronaldo subtitle and he most certainly deserves it after his sublime goal against the Giallorossi.
He silenced his critics including those mentioning his drought when away from the Bernabau. This goal becomes his 12th of Madrid’s current UCL campaign and there is most certainly more to come.
But let us also speak about Luka Modric, who is another with not only an excellent pitch awareness, but also possesses precise passing skills.
He, along with German counterpart Toni Kroos and Isco, create an intriguing middle three as the Spaniard most times gravitates to a more central-role.
The Croatian did what he knew best and dictated play, distributing the ball to all areas, but also played a deeper role coming back to aid the defence when the pressure was mounting.
Modric is a quiet achiever and with the likes of Ronaldo and company at the helm, the return clash in Madrid is looking like quite a steep hill to climb for Roma.
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